Friday Attack On Iraq Military Base Kills US Contractor Service Members Iraqi Personnel Injured

BAGHDAD, IRAQ. (THECOUNT) — A U.S. civilian contractor was killed and several service members and Iraqi personnel injured Friday in a rocket attack on a base in Iraq, NBCNEWS is reporting.

The attack on the base in Kirkuk occurred Friday morning, said Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, which is tasked with fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The base is hosting coalition troops, the military said in a statement.

Kirkuk is in the northeastern part of the country, south of Erbil.

The name of the person killed was not immediately released. The military said Iraqi security forces were leading the response and investigation.

The Associated Press, citing anonymous officials, reported that as many as 30 rockets were fired into the military base.

Security forces found a launchpad for Katyusha rockets inside an abandoned vehicle near the base, Reuters reported, citing security sources.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack, but the AP reported that such attacks have occurred on several occasions over the past few months.

Geo quick facts: Baghdad is the capital of Iraq and the second-largest city in the Arab world. Located along the Tigris River, the city was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate – Wikipedia.