SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Drones and rockets targeted an air base north of Baghdad hosting U.S. contractors and a military base at Baghdad International Airport housing American forces, the Iraqi military said on Wednesday.
Iraqi Security Media Cell reported at least three rockets hit Balad air base, where U.S. contractors are based, with no reported casualties or damages.
It added in a separate statement that outlaw armed groups targeted the Baghdad airport with three drones.
One of the drones was shot down, it stated.
No group immediately claimed the attacks, but armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed similar incidents in the past.
American officials have blamed Iranian-backed militias for regular rocket attacks aimed at U.S. facilities in Iraq, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Iran-aligned paramilitary groups have demanded that all foreign troops, including U.S. forces who number around 2,500 in Iraq, leave the country, calling their presence an occupation.
A U.S.-led coalition, whose mission is to fight Islamic State militants, is still stationed in Iraq, as well as a NATO-led mission that trains Iraqi security forces.
*This story was updated at 10:36 a.m. on Thursday
