Rockets Kill Civilian Contractor, Injure U.S. Service Member, Others In Erbil, Iraq

A civilian contractor has died, and a U.S. service member and five more contractors have been injured, in an incident on a base used by the U.S.-led coalition in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil.

The spokesman for the coalition in Iraq, Col. Wayne Marotto, tweeted that the incident was due to indirect fire, and that more information would follow. He did not identify the nationality of the contractors.

The attack hit the city of Erbil at night, people there heard explosions and sirens. Local media reported rockets fell in several areas in and around the city, and multiple people were being treated for injuries in hospital.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is "outraged" by "these ruthless acts of violence," and offered condolences to the Iraqi people and families of the victims. He said in a written statement that the U.S. will work with Iraqi authorities to hold accountable those who are responsible.

The identity of the attackers was not immediately clear, and American forces are often targeted by forces including ISIS, but American officials including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have blamed Iran-backed groups for previous strikes on US forces in recent years.