4 Iraqi servicemen wounded by rocket attack on air base

Four members of Iraq's military were wounded on Jan. 12 in a rocket attack targeting an airbase just north of Baghdad where American trainers were present until recently, Iraqi security officials said.

The attack by at least six rockets came just days after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq that house U.S. forces, causing no casualties.

There are no Americans currently at Balad airbase and there were none during the attack, according to a coalition spokesperson. The base had hosted American trainers, advisers and a company that provides maintenance services for F-16 aircraft, according to an Iraqi defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Recent heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran were sparked last month when a rocket attack killed an American contractor at a base in Iraq. The U.S. has blamed that attack and others on Iran-backed militias.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet on Jan. 12 that he was "outraged'' by the attacks.

"Outraged by reports of another rocket attack on an Iraqi airbase,'' he tweeted. "I pray for the speed recovery of the injured and call on the government of Iraq to hold those responsible for these attacks accountable.''

"These continued violations of Iraq's sovereignty by groups not loyal to the Iraqi government must end,'' he added.

Jan. 12's attack wounded an Iraqi air force officer and three enlisted men, Iraqi security officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Some rockets fell on a restaurant inside the airbase, the officials said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The base is located some 50 miles (80 kilometers) miles north of...

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