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Officials: US Civilian Contractor Killed in Attack on Iraq Base

Reuters

   A U.S. civilian contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi
   military base near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk Friday, U.S. officials
   said.

   Several U.S. service members and Iraq personnel were also wounded, the
   U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State said in a statement, adding
   that Iraqi security forces would be leading the response and
   investigation into the attack.

   U.S. officials said, on condition of anonymity, that the service
   members were lightly wounded and believed to be back on duty.

   One official said the United States was looking into the possible
   involvement of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim
   militia group.

   Links to Iran?

   In December, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed
   forces for a series of attacks on bases in Iraq and warned Iran that
   any attacks by Tehran or proxies that harmed Americans or allies would
   be "answered with a decisive U.S. response."

   Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year
   when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's
   2015 nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have
   crippled Iran's economy.

   Since then Washington has blamed Iran for attacks on oil tankers this
   summer, including off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and a
   major strike on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

   Iran has denied being behind the attacks.

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