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Rocket Attack Targets Coalition Base in Iraqi Kurdistan

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO, EGYPT - Rockets struck an Iraqi base used by U.S. and coalition
   forces near the airport in the Kurdistan capital of Erbil late
   Wednesday, hours after Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi told
   foreign diplomats that the country would put a stop to such attacks.
   Iraq's foreign minister also said that reported U.S. warnings that
   Washington may close its embassy in Baghdad would be a mistake.

   Amateur video showed a string of fires burning in an empty field not
   far from a U.S.-led coalition base near Erbil Airport in Iraqi
   Kurdistan. Kurdish security officials accused Shi'ite militias of
   firing the rockets used in the overnight attack.

   Shi'ite Hushd militia forces denied responsibility. However, Iraqi
   state media reported that intelligence officials had arrived at the
   Shi'ite Hushd militia's 33rd Brigade outside of Mosul to determine if
   they fired the rockets used in the attack.

   Kurdish media indicated that security investigators had recovered and
   were examining the rockets.

   The attack came a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi
   told diplomats from 25 countries that his government would protect
   their facilities from militia attacks.

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