Al-Assad airbase in Iraq, where US troops are stationed, was struck by Katyusha missiles

Two Katyusha missiles were fired at the Al Asad airbase in western Iraq. At least five US servicemen were killed and one was seriously injured.

Here's What We Know

One Iraqi source said that the missiles fell on the base. It is unclear whether the attack was related to Iran's threats to retaliate for the assassination of a Hamas leader

US officials, who requested anonymity, said one of the wounded Americans was seriously injured. According to them, the number of casualties was based on preliminary data, which could still change. The airbase staff is currently assessing the damage caused by the attack.

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran last week. Iran accused Israel of the murder, but Israel has not claimed responsibility.

Coupled with the killing of senior Lebanese Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr by Israel in a strike on Beirut last week, the assassinations have raised concerns about the conflict in Gaza escalating into a broader war across the Middle East.

During a phone call on Monday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant agreed that the attack was a "dangerous escalation".

Source: Reuters