Iraq's Camp Taji which houses the US and other coalition troops was attacked with over dozen rockets on Saturday, March 12. The incident happened a few days after the camp was struck with a rocket attack that claimed the lives of two Americans and one English service member.
Several videos have emerged online of Saturday's rocket attack at Camp Taji. According to Iraqi officials, there has not been any word on the number of casualties, Associated Press reported. According to officials, out of over a dozen rockets fired at Camp Taji, some struck the coalition quarters while others fell on a runway used by Iraqi forces. An unusual aspect of Saturday's attack is that it occurred in the day-time as opposed to previous attacks aimed at US troops, that took place during the night.
Explosions and sirens heard at Camp Taji, North of Baghdad where a rocket barrage has hit the base. The base hosts coalition and US soldiers and 2 US soldiers and a British soldier were killed in a rocket barrage last week #Iraq #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/s8NgJoMpV6
— CNW (@ConflictsW) March 14, 2020
An earlier attack on Camp Taji
![Camp Taji, Iraq Camp Taji, Iraq](https://data.ibtimes.sg/en/full/34641/camp-taji-iraq.jpg?w=463)
A similar rocket attack on Camp Taji took place on Wednesday, March 11. On Friday, March 13, the US carried out retaliatory air-strikes against Kataib Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite militia active in Iraq.
Base with U.S personnel under attack again. Taji this morning
— Logiko Iko (@IkoAfortiori) March 14, 2020
Reports estimates 12 rockets #Iraq pic.twitter.com/Nifs3PPVBO
Although, the US claimed that it struck Kataib Hezbollah's weapon facilities, but according to counter-claims by Iraqi officials, five members of the security forces, along with one civilian, were killed in that attack. Iran backed Shiite militia had vowed to avenge Friday's attack, a direct threat of retaliation.
Background of the recent attacks
Breaking: video capturing the sound of the rockets launching against AlTaji base in #Iraq, same base were a rocket attack killed several coalition soldiers days ago pic.twitter.com/HXGJdlFsjv
— Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) March 14, 2020
Tensions amid Washington and Tehran rose significantly after a late December rocket attack killed a US contractor in Iraq. The US blamed Iran for the attack and launched retaliatory airstrikes. In a major escalation of tensions, the US launched airstrikes at Baghdad International Airport, killing prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, along with the leader of Iraq's Shi'ite militia. This proved to be a watershed moment, bringing both countries on the brink of war.