Rockets Fired at Iraq Military Base with Foreign Troops

File Photo: A member of the Iraqi security forces walks past a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amid sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021. (AFP Photo)
File Photo: A member of the Iraqi security forces walks past a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amid sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021. (AFP Photo)
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Rockets Fired at Iraq Military Base with Foreign Troops

File Photo: A member of the Iraqi security forces walks past a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amid sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021. (AFP Photo)
File Photo: A member of the Iraqi security forces walks past a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amid sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021. (AFP Photo)

Five rockets on Monday targeted an Iraqi military base hosting troops from an international anti-extremist coalition without causing deaths or damage, a military official said.

A coalition source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said five rockets struck the Ain al-Assad base in Anbar province, according to initial reports.

"Iraqi security forces responded. No casualties or damage reported for the time being," the source added.

An Iraqi security source in Anbar had initially reported three rockets falling near the base, controlled by Iraq but hosting troops from a US-led coalition against ISIS group extremists, AFP reported.

Rockets and armed drones frequently target the Ain al-Assad base. The last such incident on April 30 saw two rockets fall nearby without causing damage or deaths.

A previously unknown group hostile to the United States' military presence in Iraq, "International Resistance", claimed responsibility for the attack on a pro-Iran Telegram channel.

Rocket and drone attacks have targeted US troops and interests in Iraq in recent months. Many are not claimed, but Washington systematically blames pro-Iran factions for them.

Iraq last year announced the end of the international coalition's combat mission after it helped the state defeat ISIS forces.

Some 2,500 US soldiers and around 1,000 troops from other coalition members remain in three Iraqi military bases to continue a training and advisory role that began more than a year ago.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.