News / Iraq

Rockets hit Iraq military base gatecrashed by Trump, Pence

Tuesday, 03 December 2019 7:04 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 December 2019 7:18 PM ]

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet members of the US military during an unannounced trip to al-Asad Air Base in western Iraqi Anbar Province, December 26, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

A rocket barrage has hit a western Iraqi airbase accommodating American forces, which has notoriously hosted surprise visits by the US president and his second-in-command.

An Iraqi military statement cited by Reuters said a total of five projectiles came down on Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq’s al-Anbar Province on Tuesday.

No casualties were reported, the statement added, giving no further details. No person or group has yet claimed responsibility.

Last December, US President Donald Trump paid an unannounced visit to the facility, which had not been cleared with Baghdad in advance, prompting both Iraqi civilians and politicians to protest its intrusive manner.

Following Trump’s visit, some Iraqi lawmakers even proposed that the country expel the US forces in response to Washington’s disregard for their country’s sovereignty.

Pence makes surprise visit to Iraq

US Vice President Mike Pence heads on a surprise trip to Iraq amid ongoing crisis in the country.

Last month, US Vice President Mike Pence paid an identically-unauthorized “surprise” visit to the outpost under the pretext of celebrating Thanksgiving with the troops.

Several rocket attacks have been reported on Iraqi bases hosting US troops as well as foreign missions in Baghdad since October, when street protests broke out in several Iraqi cities over economic woes.

Protests have often turned violent, with clashes between security forces and protesters.