Several US personnel sustained injuries after Iran-backed militants fired rockets and ballistic missiles at al-Assad Airbase in Western Iraq on Saturday.

Baghdad: Several United States soldiers suffered injuries after Iran-backed militants in Western Iraq launched multiple rockets and ballistic missiles at al-Assad Airbase on Saturday (local time), said US Central Command. According to the CENTCOM, an Iraqi service member sustained injuries in the missile attack and US soldiers are undergoing evaluation for “traumatic brain injuries”. Notably, most of the missiles were intercepted by the air defense systems, some successfully passed through and hit the airbase. The attack took place at around 6.30 pm (Baghdad time) on Saturday.

“At approximately 6:30 pm (Baghdad time) time Jan. 20, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in Western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems while others impacted on the base. Damage assessments are ongoing. A number of US personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries. At least one Iraqi service member was wounded,” the US Central Command informed on social media platform X.

Iranian-backed Militants Attack Al-Assad Airbase, Iraq

At approximately 6:30 p.m. (Baghdad time) time Jan. 20, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in Western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by… pic.twitter.com/rYaNrRdRtu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2024

US’s Airstrike On Houthi Anti-Ship Missile

Earlier on Saturday, US soldiers initiated airstrikes against a Houthi anti-ship missile in the Gulf of Aden that was ready for launch, CENTCOM informed.
Washington stated that its forces assessed the missile as a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships that were deployed in the region because of which they took action and destroyed the missile in ‘self-defense’.
The attack followed another strike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen in which the US soldiers destroyed three anti-ship missiles in the Red Sea.
The White House also confirmed that this was the fourth action taken amid boiling tensions in the Red Sea.

US Redesignates Houthi Group As ‘Terrorist’ Organisation

Recently, Washington re-designated the Houthi group as a “terrorist” organisation. Following its continuing attacks and threats to shipping, the decision was taken and imposed sanctions on it. The designation does not go into effect for 30 days.

Houthi’s Reply

Houthis stated that the designation given by America will not affect its operations to prevent Israeli vessels heading to Israel via the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Arabian Sea.
Notably, Houthis support the Palestinian militant group Hamas. They initiated the attacks in response to Israel’s war on Gaza. These dreadful attacks have impacted trade between Asia and Europe, alarming major world powers, as Al Jazeera reported.