Militia attacks on US forces in Erbil challenges Iraqi government
A rocket attack on a US base in northern Iraq is putting pressure on the Iraqi government and challenging the Biden administration's policy in Iraq.
ERBIL, Iraq — At exactly 9:30 pm local time on Feb. 15, several rockets were launched on US coalition forces located inside Erbil’s international airport from the southern side of the city.
The attack targeted the US coalition base in the northern Iraq city, killing a civilian contractor and injuring eight others.
The rocket attack was the deadliest in almost a year and follows a series of similar events that occurred last year, including several attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The last time a US-affiliated contractor was killed was in late 2019 when missiles struck the K1 military base in northern Kirkuk, which houses coalition forces. That attack led to more violence, including protesters from the militias attacking the US Embassy in Baghdad and then the US assassination of Iranian top commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani by drone strike.
