https://sputnikglobe.com/20200813/Three-Rockets-Strike-Iraqs-Balad-Air-Base-No-Casualties-Reported-1080158416.html

Three Rockets Strike Iraq's Balad Air Base, No Casualties Reported

Sputnik International

Multiple rockets fired from a mobile launcher landed inside Balad Air Base in Salah ad-Din Governorate, Iraq, on Thursday evening. 13.08.2020, Sputnik International

2020-08-13T19:26+0000

2020-08-13T19:45+0000

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Three Rockets Strike Iraq's Balad Air Base, No Casualties Reported

19:26 GMT 13.08.2020 (Updated: 19:45 GMT 13.08.2020)

© US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Luke KittermanAn Iraqi F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, assigned to the 9th Fighter Squadron, takes off prior to performing a Close Air Support Mission during Air Week at Balad Air Base, Iraq, June 17, 2019. The 9th FS conducted numerous CAS sorties that were controlled by Special Mission Controllers on the ground in support of Air Week.

An Iraqi F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, assigned to the 9th Fighter Squadron, takes off prior to performing a Close Air Support Mission during Air Week at Balad Air Base, Iraq, June 17, 2019. The 9th FS conducted numerous CAS sorties that were controlled by Special Mission Controllers on the ground in support of Air Week. - Sputnik International

Multiple rockets fired from a mobile launcher landed inside Balad Air Base in Salah ad-Din Governorate, Iraq, on Thursday evening.

The Iraqi prime minister's office announced on Thursday evening that three Katyusha rockets had landed inside the air base without causing appreciable damage.

During the US war in Iraq, Balad was the second-largest US base in the country, being located 40 miles north of Baghdad. It was returned to the Iraqi military in 2011 as US forces withdrew.

In January, when a US airstrike near Baghdad airport killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and several leading members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, Iraqi lawmakers moved to demand US forces leave the country. However, US President Donald Trump said the US would not leave until Baghdad had paid the US for the "very extraordinarily expensive" Balad Air Base.

Another rocket attack against the base in January injured four Iraqi servicemembers.