10 missiles, reportedly from a pickup, hit Iraqi base with U.S. troops

One death is reported during assault, an apparent heart attack.

A barrage of rockets DOHUK, IRAQ — was fired Wednesday at the Ain al-asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province — one of the last remaining Iraqi bases where U.S. forces are stationed.

An Iraqi security statement and one released by the Pentagon said 10 rockets were launched toward the sprawling base.

U.S. contractor has fatal heart attack

A senior Defense Department official said a U.S. contractor had died of an apparent heart attack during the barrage. Officials in Washington did not identify the group responsible for the attack.

The Pentagon said in a statement the missile defense system at al-asad “engaged in defense of our forces,” and added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the individual who died.”

The Sabareen news outlet, affiliated with Iran-backed militias, said three U.S. soldiers had been killed in the attack — a report completely at odds with the official Defense Department account.

Rockets fired from Mitsubishi pickup

The attackers who targeted the base Wednesday used BM-21 “Grad” rockets, fired from about 5 miles from the base, officials said.

A local paramilitary leader near the base said he had heard the impact of the rockets and then went to investigate. He said he found “a burned vehicle — a Mitsubishi pickup” rigged with rocket launchers.

No group took responsibility.

Attack follows U.S. airstrikes

The assault came just less than a week after the U.S. attacked Iranbacked militia targets at the Syria-iraq border. Those airstrikes, ordered by the Biden administration, hit buildings on the Syrian side of a border crossing. President Joe Biden had originally approved two targets inside Syria, administration officials said.

The Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah said one of its fighters had been killed in those airstrikes.

The second strike Biden approved was aborted at the last minute after U.S. forces learned there were women and children at that site, also in Syria, administration officials said.

Biden chose targets in Syria to avoid political blowback on the Iraqi government, officials said.