U.S. servicemember injured in rocket attack

One civilian contractor has been killed and one U.S. servicemember has been injured after a rocket attack near the Irbil airport in Iraq, according to an OIR spokesperson.

Initial reports that Indirect Fire landed on Coalition Forces in Erbil tonight. There was 1 civilian contractor killed, 5 civilian contractors injured and 1 US service member injured. More information to follow.
— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) February 15, 2021

The spokesperson said five civilian contractors were injured. Four of the five injured contractors are U.S. nationals, according to reporter Katie Bo Williams.

ERBIL—A rocket attack on a U.S. base here on Tuesday night has killed one civilian contractor and injured one U.S. service member, as well as injuring five other contractors.

I’m told an initial report of the attack indicates that four of the injured contractors were American.
— Katie Bo Lillis (@KatieBoLillis) February 15, 2021

Iraqi officials previously said three rockets hit outside the airport near U.S. troops, wounding at least two civilians and causing damage.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned the rocket attack “in the strongest terms.”

#BREAKING: Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned Monday's rocket attacks on Erbil "in the strongest terms," urging people in Kurdistan to remain calm — tweet pic.twitter.com/IfIdfmcS29
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) February 15, 2021

The Guardians of Blood group reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com throughout the day for updates.

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Rich Barak

· Rich Barak works in the sports department as a leader/coach. In his career, Barak has covered everyone from Tommy Lasorda to Timothy Leary. He can be reached via email at Richard.Barak@ajc.com, on Twitter at @RBARACK or by calling 217-722-0184.

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