Pentagon confirms rocket attack on air base in Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 3 (KUNA) -- The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday that the air base at Al-Asad in Iraq came under "rocket attack" early this morning.
"Preliminary indications are that approximately ten rockets were fired from points of origin east of the base," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement.
He added "there are no current reports of US servicemember injuries and all are accounted for. A US civilian contractor suffered a cardiac episode while sheltering and sadly passed away shortly after." He affirmed "Iraqi security forces are on scene and investigating," adding "we stand by as needed to assist our Iraqi partners as they investigate." "We cannot attribute responsibility at this time, and we do not have a complete picture of the extent of the damage," he noted.
He added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "was briefed by his team and is closely monitoring the situation." (end) si.ibi