Fotografía del archivo gráfico de Agencia EFE de un caza en la base militar de Al Balad Irak

Washington / US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded an end to the “violations of Iraq’s sovereignty” following the rocket attack on Sunday against the Balad military base, which wounded four Iraqis.

“Outraged by the reports of another rocket attack on an Iraqi airbase. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured and call the Government of Iraq to hold those responsible for this attack on the Iraqi people accountable”, Pompeo wrote on Twitter.

“These continued violations of Iraq’s sovereignty by groups not loyal to the Iraqi government must end”, he added.

The Iraq Security Communication Group confirmed a few hours earlier in a statement the fall of eight Katyusha-type projectiles at the base of Balad, where there are US troops, which caused injuries to four Iraqi troops, including two officers.

A source from the Operations Command of Saladino province, who requested anonymity, told EFE that the injured have been transferred to a hospital and said the victims are of Iraqi nationality.

Located north of Baghdad, Balad is one of the largest air bases in the Arab country and has among its arsenal with F16 fighter-bombers that Baghdad acquired from the United States, in addition to hosting US troops.

However, security sources told EFE the possibility that at least part of the foreign forces deployed there would have left the base after the recent cross-attacks between Washington and Tehran in Iraqi territory.

Third attack against the military base of Balad

This is the third projectile attack against this base in recent days, after last Thursday a rocket fell in its vicinity without causing casualties and a week ago its southern part was attacked, causing material damage to weapons stores of the Iraqi Army.

In recent days, there have also been several rocket night attacks against the Baghdad Green Zone, where embassies are located, including the United States, and government buildings.

All this occurs in the midst of a severe escalation of tension in the Middle East unleashed after the US attack. in Baghdad that ten days ago killed the Quds Force commander of the Guardians of the Iranian Revolution (IRGC), General Qasem Soleimaní, and leaders of the Shiite militias Popular Crowd.

Iran responded this week with the launch of missiles against two military bases that house US troops in western and northern Iraq. (January 12, 2020, EFE/Practica Español)

News related in video (January 8, 2020)