UPDATE 2 - Missiles target US base in Iraq

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS BY IRAQI ARMED FORCES, CHANGES DECK, LEDE

By Bekir Aydogan and Haydar Karaalp

ERBIL, Iraq / BAGHDAD (AA) - Multiple missiles targeted on Saturday Iraq's Ain al-Asad military base, which houses US troops, wounding a soldier and causing some damage to the facility, an official said.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq group, a network of militias which has accepted responsibility for dozens of attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq recently.

In a statement, the group said it hit the base with barrage of missiles and will continue to strike US targets in the country.

Maj. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, the spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, told the Iraqi News Agency that “a number of missiles fell near the headquarters of the 29th Brigade, 7th Division, affiliated with the Al-Jazeera Operations Command, within the Iraqi Ain Al-Assad base, wounding a soldier and causing damage to the headquarters.”

“Ain al-Assad base contains headquarters for our military units, as well as an air base, protection and guard regiments, the Jazeera command headquarters, in addition to an Iraqi training camp,” added.

Rasoul stressed that the security forces will reach the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The missile attack comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala and Alperen Aktas