The US is taking "extremely seriously" a weekend attack by Iran-backed militants on a base that hosts US forces in Iraq.
The US ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Romanowski, met on Sunday with officials from the Coordination Framework and former prime ministers Haider al-Abadi and Nouri al-Maliki.
Abadi, who also chairs the al-Nasr Coalition, received the US ambassador in Baghdad and reviewed the latest developments in Iraq and the region.
On his Facebook page, Abadi explained that the meeting also discussed the importance of ongoing efforts and supporting the government's efforts in a way that maintains the rights of the people and the country.
Abadi pointed out that the meeting discussed enhancing cooperation between the two countries, the shape of the future relationship, the situation in Gaza, and the necessity of working to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
For his part, the media office of the head of the State of Law coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, stated that the meeting with the US diplomat reviewed the future of bilateral relations and the escalating tensions in both countries and the region.
During the meeting, Maliki reiterated the importance of boosting relations and developing ties to serve the interests of the two people.
Maliki called for quick action to reduce tension and end the attacks that may lead to the expansion of the war.
According to the statement, Romanovsky renewed her country's support for Iraq's stability and continued dialogues between the two countries to enhance partnership in various critical and vital sectors.
The US embassy did not comment on this meeting. Romanowski regularly meets with Iraqi leaders and politicians.
- Ballistic attack
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US personnel suffered minor injuries and a member of Iraq's security forces was wounded in an attack on Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base on Saturday.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement that the base was hit by several ballistic missiles and rockets launched by Iranian-backed factions inside Iraq.
The statement did not confirm the extent of any US injuries but said personnel were being evaluated for traumatic brain injury.
According to Reuters, the US military's assessment was more severe than initial accounts from security sources in Iraq, who, along with an Iraqi government source, had only reported rocket fire against the base.
US Central Command said that most of the missiles were intercepted, though others hit the base, adding that "Damage assessments are ongoing "and "at least one Iraqi service member was injured."
Later, White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer said: "It was a very serious attack, using a capability of ballistic missiles that posed a genuine threat."
During an interview with ABC's "This Week," Finer asserted that the US will respond to establish deterrence in these situations and hold these groups that continue to attack accountable.
"You can be assured that we are taking this extremely seriously," Finer said.
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October, the US military has been attacked at least 58 times in Iraq and 83 times in Syria by Iran's allies.
The US has 900 soldiers in Syria and 2,500 soldiers in Iraq on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent ISIS reemergence, which in 2014 took control of large areas in both countries before its defeat.
After Saturday's attack, Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades military spokesman Abu Ali al-Askari announced in a statement that the "Islamic resistance factions will continue to target the enemies until they achieve the announced goals," stressing the necessity of escalating the attack.
On Saturday, the Special Representative of the UN Sec-Gen for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned against drawing Iraq into the conflict in the Middle East
- Battlefield
Iraq is deeply concerned about becoming an arena for the US and Israel to fight with Iran.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani announced the start of procedures to remove US forces from the country after a drone strike in Baghdad.
The Department of Defense said that the raid killed a militia leader it blames for recent attacks on US personnel.
The Pentagon added that it had not been officially notified of any plans to end the presence of US forces in the country and says that its troops are deployed in Iraq at the invitation of the government in Baghdad.
