ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Ten rockets have hit Ain al-Asad military base in Anbar province, Iraqi state media reported on Wednesday morning, two days before Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq.
The base houses Iraqi, American and US-led coalition troops and was previously attacked by Iran-backed militias last January after the US assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
The attack was confirmed by coalition spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto, who said the base was targeted at approximately 7:20am.
Iraqi security forces are leading the response and investigation into the attack, he added.
A civilian contractor with the US-led coalition died of a heart attack during the rocket attack, security sources told AFP.
PMF-linked media also reported the death, but claimed other US forces were killed.
Asked for comment on the reports, Marotto told Rudaw English "the ISF [Iraqi security forces] and Coalition are on site investigating the incident."
Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) linked telegram channels on Monday released a statement saying a meeting had been held, "the results of which will be seen on the news soon."
Certain PMF militia groups are known to target US and foreign missions in Iraq.
Rocket attacks on US strongholds have increased over the past month.
Several rockets were fired at Baghdad's Green Zone, home to foreign missions including the US embassy, on February 22. A day earlier, rockets hit Balad Air Base in Salahaddin province.
Rockets were fired at Erbil on February 15, killing two people and injuring 13.
Updated 2:51pm
