Official: US Forces Accounted for after Reported Rocket Attack in Baghdad

US vehicles are seen in Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar, Iraq. Reuters file photo
US vehicles are seen in Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar, Iraq. Reuters file photo
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Official: US Forces Accounted for after Reported Rocket Attack in Baghdad

US vehicles are seen in Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar, Iraq. Reuters file photo
US vehicles are seen in Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar, Iraq. Reuters file photo

Multiple Katyusha rockets were fired near Baghdad International Airport, two Iraqi military officials told Reuters early on Tuesday, but a US official disputed reports that US military forces were targeted in the incident.

"All military personnel are accounted for and military forces were not targeted as had been reported," the US defense official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The incident was a reminder of the soaring tensions in the Middle East, as speculation swirled about whether Iran and Iran-backed groups would make good on threats to retaliate after a series of Israeli major blows against Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Two Iraqi security sources said an initial investigation showed three rockets were fired, including one that landed near buildings used by Iraqi counter-terrorism forces, causing damages and fire to some vehicles but no casualties.

The sources had previously said at least two Katyusha rockets were also fired at a military base hosting US forces and that air defenses intercepted the rockets.

But the US official said Washington was aware of reports of an attack instead on the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Complex, which is a Department of State facility.

"For details about the incident we refer you to the State Department," the official said.

A US Department of State is assessing the damage caused by the attack, according to a spokesperson, who said there were no casualties.



Suspected Houthi Attack Targets Ship in Red Sea

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
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Suspected Houthi Attack Targets Ship in Red Sea

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT

A suspected attack Tuesday by Yemen's Houthi militias targeted a ship in the Red Sea, likely marking their first assault on commercial shipping in weeks.

The attack took place some 110 kilometers off the port city of Hodeidah in the Red Sea.

A captain on a ship saw four “splashes” near his vessel, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said in a warning. That likely would have been missiles or drones launched at the vessel.

“All crew are safe and the vessel is proceeding to (its) next port of call,” the UKMTO said.

Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They have seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.

The last attack on a merchant ship by the Houthis came on Sept. 2.

The Houthis also continue to launch missiles targeting Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes from the Israelis this weekend on Hodeidah.