American dies of ‘cardiac episode’ after rocket attack on Iraq air base
Rocket strikes resume after Biden authorized retaliation on pro-Iran militia in Syria last week
An American military contractor died of a “cardiac episode” after taking shelter during a rocket attack on Iraq’s al-Asad air base early Wednesday, the Pentagon has confirmed.
The unidentified civilian is the first US citizen who has died in Iraq’s recurrent rocket attacks since President Joe Biden took office, marking the latest test for the new administration as it seeks rapprochement with Iran.
The new administration has blamed similar attacks in recent weeks on Iran-backed militias Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Saraya al-Shuhada, but has not assigned blame for Wednesday’s attack.
No US military personnel were reported injured in the latest barrage, which involved at least 10n rockets fired from multiple locations east of al-Asad, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. Wednesday. US counter-rocket, artillery and mortar air defenses activated, but it was not immediately clear whether they intercepted any rockets.
