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Rockets Hit Near Baghdad International Airport

Reuters

   BAGHDAD - At least three rockets landed in the perimeter of Baghdad
   International Airport late on Thursday, Iraqi security officials said.

   The officials said that the rockets had landed near anarea of the
   airport that houses U.S. forces and that no damages or casualties were
   reported.

   An Iraqi military statement said the rockets landed near the perimeter
   of the airport without causing casualties.

   Iraqi security forces found and defused more unfired rockets placed on
   the rooftop of an empty house that was used to launch the rockets, the
   statement said.

   Thursday's attacks came after a similar rocket attack on April 18 that
   targeted the Iraqi military air base of Balad, which is hosting some
   U.S. contractors. The attack wounded two Iraqi soldiers.

   There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but armed groups that
   some Iraqi officials have said are backed by Iran have claimed similar
   incidents in the past.

   U.S. officials blame Iran-backed militias for regular rocket attacks on
   U.S. facilities in Iraq, including near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

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