U.S. troops at Iraqi base under ‘regular’ fire
The 320 U.S. troops at Al Asad air base in Iraq are now coming under "regular" mortar and rocket fire from nearby ISIS fighters, according to Pentagon spokesman Col. Steven Warren. While the attacks are "completely ineffective," it is raising continuing concern that U.S. forces in Iraq can be kept safe and at least technically […]Barbara Starr reports for CNN:
The 320 U.S. troops at Al Asad air base in Iraq are now coming under "regular" mortar and rocket fire from nearby ISIS fighters, according to Pentagon spokesman Col. Steven Warren. While the attacks are "completely ineffective," it is raising continuing concern that U.S. forces in Iraq can be kept safe and at least technically out of a combat role, a separate defense official said. The Pentagon would not say whether security measures had changed at the base.
Most of the rounds are impacting near the perimeter of the sprawling base, according to the official. The troops at Al Asad are mainly Marines, and are part of the "advise and assist" effort. Since December 20, they have been helping Iraqi units there with learning how to conduct air support, mission planning and intelligence gathering.
