U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks to Department of Defense personnel, with President Joe. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin condemned Monday’s attack against U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq, and expressed condolences to the Iraqi people. A rocket attack at a U.S.-led military base in Kurdish northern Iraq on Monday killed a civilian contractor and wounded five other people, including a U.S. service member, according to initial reports. U.S. troops occupy a military base adjacent to a civilian airport. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone Today with Iraqi Minister of Defense Jumaah Saadoon.
“The Iraqi people deserve a secure and stable Iraq, and the United States remains committed to supporting our Iraqi partners in their efforts to defend Iraq’s sovereignty. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq.”
-Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s telephone call with Iraqi Minister of Defense
A U.S. Coalition spokesman said on Twitter the attack hit coalition forces in the Kurdish regional capital of Erbil
Update: CJTF-OIR confirms approx. 14 107 mm rockets launched with 3 impacting within EAB, Feb 15 at 2130 hours (Iraqi time).
One civilian contractor was killed (Not US), and 9 injured ( 8 CIV contractors/ 1 US MIL) – 4 US/ 1 US MIL concussion protocol.— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) February 16, 2021
