Russia has once again raised the threat of a possible nuclear war. On the ground, Russia continues to strike Ukrainian towns and cities targeting several key civilian and other infrastructure.

Russian strikes pound Ukraine power sites

<p>Israel and Gaza's militants continued to exchange missile attacks for the second consecutive day on Saturday after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 31&nbsp;people, including the leader of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, and injured 265 others.</p>

<p>The second round of flare-up claimed at least eight&nbsp;lives, including six children, near Jabalya refugee camp,&nbsp;the Palestinian authorities said on Sunday,&nbsp;while pinning the blame on Israeli forces for the deaths.</p>

<p>The Israeli military, however, denied that it was responsible, saying the explosion was caused by a failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch, about a third of which have failed to clear the boundaries of the enclave, reports Washington Post.</p>

<p>“We have concrete data that it was their rocket,” Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht was quoted as saying.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht with an update on the current situation regarding the Islamic Jihad in Gaza: <a href="https://t.co/sR5ZFD9zFk">pic.twitter.com/sR5ZFD9zFk</a></p>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1556059447587442688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, there were no significant injuries reported from the rocket fire targeting Israel, according to officials, as thousands of residents of southern and central Israel have been sheltered in safe rooms or community air raid bunkers.</p>

<p>There are reports of civilians suffering minor injuries while running for cover, and two IDF&nbsp;soldiers suffering shrapnel wounds. Multiple bush fires were also reported in areas where rockets fell.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-run-high-as-10-killed-in-israeli-missile-strike-in-gaza-strip-504214">Tensions run high as 10 killed in Israeli missile strike in Gaza Strip</a></p>

<p data-el="text" data-qa="drop-cap-letter">There seems to be no sign of exhaustion as Israel continued to pound Gaza Strip, and the militants retaliating to the air strikes since Saturday. While the Israeli military says it is targeting weapons depots hidden in residential areas and destroying a number of houses, Islamic Jihad has been firing rockets on Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv.</p>

<p>According to the Israeli military, militants fired more than 449 rockets toward Israel in retaliation overnight and through Saturday.</p>

<p>The Israel military said that its Iron Dome air-defence network has intercepted about 95 percent of the rockets, with 81 of the launches falling short and landing in Gaza.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Egypt has been engaging in intensive talks to mitigate the situation, Reuters reported. On Saturday, an Egyptian intelligence delegation headed by Major General Ahmed Abdelkhaliq arrived in Israel and later would be travelling to Gaza for talks.</p>

<p>The delegation was hoping to broker a day's ceasefire in order to carry out the talks, the sources told Reuters.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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Israel and Gaza's militants continued to exchange missile attacks for the second consecutive day on Saturday after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 31 people, including the leader of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, and injured 265 others.

Israel and Gaza's militants continued to exchange missile attacks for the second consecutive day on Saturday after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 31 people, including the leader of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, and injured 265 others. The second round of flare-up claimed at least eight lives, including six children, near Jabalya refugee camp, the Palestinian authorities said on Sunday, while pinning the blame on Israeli forces for the deaths. The Israeli military, however, denied that it was responsible, saying the explosion was caused by a failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch, about a third of which have failed to clear the boundaries of the enclave, reports Washington Post. “We have concrete data that it was their rocket,” Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht was quoted as saying. IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht with an update on the current situation regarding the Islamic Jihad in Gaza: pic.twitter.com/sR5ZFD9zFk — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 6, 2022 × Meanwhile, there were no significant injuries reported from the rocket fire targeting Israel, according to officials, as thousands of residents of southern and central Israel have been sheltered in safe rooms or community air raid bunkers. There are reports of civilians suffering minor injuries while running for cover, and two IDF soldiers suffering shrapnel wounds. Multiple bush fires were also reported in areas where rockets fell. Also read | Tensions run high as 10 killed in Israeli missile strike in Gaza Strip There seems to be no sign of exhaustion as Israel continued to pound Gaza Strip, and the militants retaliating to the air strikes since Saturday. While the Israeli military says it is targeting weapons depots hidden in residential areas and destroying a number of houses, Islamic Jihad has been firing rockets on Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv. According to the Israeli military, militants fired more than 449 rockets toward Israel in retaliation overnight and through Saturday. The Israel military said that its Iron Dome air-defence network has intercepted about 95 percent of the rockets, with 81 of the launches falling short and landing in Gaza. Meanwhile, Egypt has been engaging in intensive talks to mitigate the situation, Reuters reported. On Saturday, an Egyptian intelligence delegation headed by Major General Ahmed Abdelkhaliq arrived in Israel and later would be travelling to Gaza for talks. The delegation was hoping to broker a day's ceasefire in order to carry out the talks, the sources told Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Air raid sirens ring out in Jerusalem; Israel, Gaza militants continue strikes

<p>At least 10 people, including a top commander of a Palestinian militant group, were killed and scores wounded in the Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the missiles were fired on Saturday in response to a threat following the arrest of another senior militant in the West Bank earlier this week.</p>

<p>According to Gaza health ministry, the missiles hit residential apartments as well as militant watchtowers, killing at least 10 people, including a 5-year-old girl, and wounding 55, The New York Times reported.</p>

<p>Taysir al-Jabari, Islamic Jihad’s commander for northern Gaza, was among those killed, the militant group said. He helmed the organisation after another militant was killed in an airstrike in 2019.</p>

<p>Later, Palestinian militants launched a barrage of rockets in central and southern Israel, bringing both sides on the verge of an all-out war. The Islamic Jihad militants claimed to have fired 100 rockets.</p>

<p>At least hundreds assembled in a funeral procession for the militant and for those who were killed. Many mourners were also seen waving Palestinian flags and Islamic Jihad banners while calling for revenge.</p>

<p>The Israeli Army released footage showing a fighter jet striking rocket launchers belonging to the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, according to the description of the army.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Video from <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDF</a> of strike assassinating PIJ commander in northern <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gaza</a> Tayseer Jabari. <a href="https://t.co/pUK2sK0kDP">pic.twitter.com/pUK2sK0kDP</a></p>
— Tzvi Joffre (@TzviJoffre) <a href="https://twitter.com/TzviJoffre/status/1555568337425518594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fires a volley of rockets at israel in retaliation to israeli airstrikes on Gaza which killed 10 people, including PIJ commander Taysir al-Jabari. <a href="https://t.co/8CEvmFp9CX">pic.twitter.com/8CEvmFp9CX</a></p>
— Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) <a href="https://twitter.com/richimedhurst/status/1555761129485377536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid in a late night address on Friday said that his country had launched the attacks based on concrete threats.</p>

<p>“This government has a zero-tolerance policy for any attempted attacks of any kind from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Israel will not sit idly by when there are those who are trying to harm its civilians,” Lapid said.</p>

<p>The airstrikes come amid a week of rising tensions between Israel and Islamic Jihad, which often acts independently of Hamas—the group that governs Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>Friday’s escalation follows one of the least violent phases gripping Gaza for several years. After the war in May 2021, there were relatively few cross-border exchanges of fire, as tensions shifted to the West Bank.</p>

<p>Both Israel and Hamas had vowed to avoid another full-scale war over the enclave, which has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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At least 10 people, including a top commander of a Palestinian militant group, were killed and scores wounded in the Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the missiles were fired on Saturday in response to a threat following the arrest of another senior militant in the West Bank earlier this week.

At least 10 people, including a top commander of a Palestinian militant group, were killed and scores wounded in the Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the missiles were fired on Saturday in response to a threat following the arrest of another senior militant in the West Bank earlier this week. According to Gaza health ministry, the missiles hit residential apartments as well as militant watchtowers, killing at least 10 people, including a 5-year-old girl, and wounding 55, The New York Times reported. Taysir al-Jabari, Islamic Jihad’s commander for northern Gaza, was among those killed, the militant group said. He helmed the organisation after another militant was killed in an airstrike in 2019. Later, Palestinian militants launched a barrage of rockets in central and southern Israel, bringing both sides on the verge of an all-out war. The Islamic Jihad militants claimed to have fired 100 rockets. At least hundreds assembled in a funeral procession for the militant and for those who were killed. Many mourners were also seen waving Palestinian flags and Islamic Jihad banners while calling for revenge. The Israeli Army released footage showing a fighter jet striking rocket launchers belonging to the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, according to the description of the army. Video from @IDF of strike assassinating PIJ commander in northern #Gaza Tayseer Jabari. pic.twitter.com/pUK2sK0kDP — Tzvi Joffre (@TzviJoffre) August 5, 2022 × Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fires a volley of rockets at israel in retaliation to israeli airstrikes on Gaza which killed 10 people, including PIJ commander Taysir al-Jabari. pic.twitter.com/8CEvmFp9CX — Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) August 6, 2022 × Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid in a late night address on Friday said that his country had launched the attacks based on concrete threats. “This government has a zero-tolerance policy for any attempted attacks of any kind from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Israel will not sit idly by when there are those who are trying to harm its civilians,” Lapid said. The airstrikes come amid a week of rising tensions between Israel and Islamic Jihad, which often acts independently of Hamas—the group that governs Gaza Strip. Friday’s escalation follows one of the least violent phases gripping Gaza for several years. After the war in May 2021, there were relatively few cross-border exchanges of fire, as tensions shifted to the West Bank. Both Israel and Hamas had vowed to avoid another full-scale war over the enclave, which has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Tensions run high as 10 killed in Israeli missile strike in Gaza Strip

<p>In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"As a result of a missile attack in the Odesa region, the runway at Odesa airport was damaged. Its further use is impossible," the Ukrainian military said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes as Russian armed forces have claimed to hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities on Saturday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surprising-in-three-months-five-russian-oligarchs-found-dead-families-of-3-businessmen-killed-too-475202" hreflang="en">In three months, five Russian oligarchs found dead; families of 3 killed too</a></strong></p>

<p>The Russians said that they used high-precision missiles. They have also claimed to destroy a command post and a warehouse, which was used to store rockets and artillery. &nbsp;</p>

<p>During the day, air force strikes killed over 200 Ukrainian troops and destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the defence ministry said in an online post. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It did not say anything about the attack on the Odesa airport. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Report by a think tank: US &amp; EU import oil from Russia despite attack on Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, in remarks published on Russian foreign ministry's website, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said that lifting Western sanctions on Russia was a part of the talks. But it was denied by senior Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>A prisoner exchange was also held by Ukraine with Russia on Saturday. In it, seven soldiers and seven civilians came home, said deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk in an online post. However, she did not say how many Russians were transferred. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday.

In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday. "As a result of a missile attack in the Odesa region, the runway at Odesa airport was damaged. Its further use is impossible," the Ukrainian military said. This comes as Russian armed forces have claimed to hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities on Saturday. Also Read: In three months, five Russian oligarchs found dead; families of 3 killed too The Russians said that they used high-precision missiles. They have also claimed to destroy a command post and a warehouse, which was used to store rockets and artillery. During the day, air force strikes killed over 200 Ukrainian troops and destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the defence ministry said in an online post. It did not say anything about the attack on the Odesa airport. Watch: Report by a think tank: US & EU import oil from Russia despite attack on Ukraine × Meanwhile, in remarks published on Russian foreign ministry's website, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said that lifting Western sanctions on Russia was a part of the talks. But it was denied by senior Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak. A prisoner exchange was also held by Ukraine with Russia on Saturday. In it, seven soldiers and seven civilians came home, said deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk in an online post. However, she did not say how many Russians were transferred. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

In Russian missile strike, Odesa airport gets damaged, says Ukrainian military  

<p>The Russian Foreign Ministry said that 20 people have been killed while 28 were injured by a missile launched by the Ukrainian troops.</p>

<p>According to the military, the attack occurred in a residential neighborhood in Donetsk with a Tochka-U tactical missile.Ukrainian media reported that heavy fighting in Donbas continues.</p>

<p>According to Ukraine`s Armed Forces, 100 Russian soldiers were killed and six vehicles were destroyed, The Kyiv Independent reported.</p>

<p>Russia tried to break through Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk Oblast, it added.The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia hits Kharkiv with ballistic missiles.</p>

<p>Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov claimed that Kharkiv was hit by short-range Iskander ballistic missile systems stationed in Russia.</p>

<p>On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people`s republics requested help in defending themselves.</p>

<p>The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.</p>

<p>The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia`s operation in Ukraine.</p>


The Russian Foreign Ministry said that 20 people have been killed while 28 were injured by a missile launched by the Ukrainian troops. According to the military, the attack occurred in a residential neighborhood in Donetsk with a Tochka-U tactical missile.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that 20 people have been killed while 28 were injured by a missile launched by the Ukrainian troops. According to the military, the attack occurred in a residential neighborhood in Donetsk with a Tochka-U tactical missile.Ukrainian media reported that heavy fighting in Donbas continues. According to Ukraine`s Armed Forces, 100 Russian soldiers were killed and six vehicles were destroyed, The Kyiv Independent reported. Russia tried to break through Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk Oblast, it added.The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia hits Kharkiv with ballistic missiles. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov claimed that Kharkiv was hit by short-range Iskander ballistic missile systems stationed in Russia. On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people`s republics requested help in defending themselves. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia`s operation in Ukraine.

20 killed, 28 injured in missile strike by Ukraine, says Russia

<p>Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences. Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria since the outbreak of Syrian war in 2011. These strikes have mostly targetted Iranian, Hezbollah forces and government troops.</p>

<p>Shortly after midnight, "the Israeli enemy launched an assault, firing missiles from the occupied Golan and Galilee," the SANA news agency reported, citing a military source.</p>

<p>The strikes were aimed at targets near Damascus, the source said, adding that defences shot down "most" of the missiles.</p>

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<p>According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13.</p>

<p>The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports.</p>

<p>Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details.</p>

<p>It has consistently vowed to prevent its arch-enemy Iran from gaining a foothold in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad throughout the nearly decade-long war.</p>

<p><strong>(With AFP inputs)</strong></p>


Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences.

Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences. Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria since the outbreak of Syrian war in 2011. These strikes have mostly targetted Iranian, Hezbollah forces and government troops. Shortly after midnight, "the Israeli enemy launched an assault, firing missiles from the occupied Golan and Galilee," the SANA news agency reported, citing a military source. The strikes were aimed at targets near Damascus, the source said, adding that defences shot down "most" of the missiles. × According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13. The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports. Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details. It has consistently vowed to prevent its arch-enemy Iran from gaining a foothold in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad throughout the nearly decade-long war. (With AFP inputs)

Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus, says state media

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<p>Multiple rockets hit an Iraqi base hosting American troops near the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-blames-iran-for-us-embassy-attack-in-baghdad-promises-us-will-always-respond-strongly-271317" target="_blank">US embassy</a>&nbsp;early Sunday, the latest in a flurry of attacks against US assets in the country.</p>

<p>"The Coalition confirms small rockets impacted the Iraqi base hosting (coalition) troops in the International Zone... No casualties" said coalition spokesman Myles Caggins.</p>

<p>That base, known as Union III, is the headquarters for the US-led coalition, deployed in Iraq since 2014 to help local troops fight the Islamic State jihadist group.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-fired-at-iraq-protesters-storming-us-baghdad-embassy-271237" target="_blank">Protesters attack US embassy in Baghdad, ambassador and staff evacuated</a></p>

<p>Iraq's military said three Katyusha rockets hit inside the Green Zone, the high-security enclave where the US mission and Union III are located, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-militias-withdraw-from-us-embassy-in-baghdad-more-american-troops-deployed-271502" target="_blank">Iraqi government buildings</a>, United Nations offices and other embassies.</p>

<p>A fourth rocket hit a logistics base in a different neighbourhood operated by the Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network officially incorporated into the Iraqi state, the Iraqi military said.</p>

<p>There was no immediate statement from the Hashed. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-stops-weapons-delivery-to-iraq-amid-tensions-with-baghdad-reports-277061">Strikes on assets</a> of both the US and Hashed at the same time are unusual, as Washington has blamed hardline elements within the military network for repeated rocket attacks on American installations across Iraq.</p>

<p>Sunday's was the 19th attack since October to target either the embassy or the roughly 5,200 US troops stationed alongside local forces across Iraq. No group has claimed responsibility for any of the incidents. In late December, a rocket attack on the northern Iraqi base of K1 left one US contractor dead and unleashed a dramatic series of events.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/news-alert-us-embassy-in-baghdad-attacked-280878">US Embassy in Baghdad attacked</a></p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expect-iraq-to-use-its-forces-to-protect-us-embassy-in-baghdad-trump-271292" target="_blank">Washington responded</a>&nbsp;with retaliatory strikes against Kataeb Hezbollah, a hardline Hashed faction in western Iraq.</p>

<p>Days later, an American drone strike in Baghdad killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his right-hand man, Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.</p>

<p>Hashed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-anti-us-rally-in-baghdad-rattling-rival-protesters-276332">factions have vowed revenge</a> for the pair's death but said they would prioritise a political objective first: the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. But the network includes a broad range of groups and some have appeared more willing to harass US troops militarily.</p>

<p>Sunday's attack came just hours after one of the Hashed's Iran-backed factions, Harakat al-Nujaba, announced a "countdown" to ousting American forces from the country. A top leader within Nujaba, Nasr al-Shammary, tweeted a photograph of what he claimed was an American military vehicle, adding: "We are closer than you think."</p>

<p>Sunday's assault reportedly sent warning sirens blaring across the diplomatic compound. Multiple strong explosions followed by aircraft circling near the Green Zone were reported.</p>


Multiple rockets hit an Iraqi base hosting American troops near the US embassy early Sunday, the latest in a flurry of attacks against US assets in the country. "The Coalition confirms small rockets impacted the Iraqi base hosting (coalition) troops in the International Zone.

Multiple rockets hit an Iraqi base hosting American troops near the US embassy early Sunday, the latest in a flurry of attacks against US assets in the country. "The Coalition confirms small rockets impacted the Iraqi base hosting (coalition) troops in the International Zone... No casualties" said coalition spokesman Myles Caggins. That base, known as Union III, is the headquarters for the US-led coalition, deployed in Iraq since 2014 to help local troops fight the Islamic State jihadist group. Also Read: Protesters attack US embassy in Baghdad, ambassador and staff evacuated Iraq's military said three Katyusha rockets hit inside the Green Zone, the high-security enclave where the US mission and Union III are located, as well as Iraqi government buildings, United Nations offices and other embassies. A fourth rocket hit a logistics base in a different neighbourhood operated by the Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network officially incorporated into the Iraqi state, the Iraqi military said. There was no immediate statement from the Hashed. Strikes on assets of both the US and Hashed at the same time are unusual, as Washington has blamed hardline elements within the military network for repeated rocket attacks on American installations across Iraq. Sunday's was the 19th attack since October to target either the embassy or the roughly 5,200 US troops stationed alongside local forces across Iraq. No group has claimed responsibility for any of the incidents. In late December, a rocket attack on the northern Iraqi base of K1 left one US contractor dead and unleashed a dramatic series of events. Watch: US Embassy in Baghdad attacked Washington responded with retaliatory strikes against Kataeb Hezbollah, a hardline Hashed faction in western Iraq. Days later, an American drone strike in Baghdad killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his right-hand man, Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Hashed factions have vowed revenge for the pair's death but said they would prioritise a political objective first: the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. But the network includes a broad range of groups and some have appeared more willing to harass US troops militarily. Sunday's attack came just hours after one of the Hashed's Iran-backed factions, Harakat al-Nujaba, announced a "countdown" to ousting American forces from the country. A top leader within Nujaba, Nasr al-Shammary, tweeted a photograph of what he claimed was an American military vehicle, adding: "We are closer than you think." Sunday's assault reportedly sent warning sirens blaring across the diplomatic compound. Multiple strong explosions followed by aircraft circling near the Green Zone were reported.

Multiple rockets hit Iraqi base hosting American troops near US embassy; no casualties

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