Rockets hit near Baghdad international airport, no casualties

Three rockets hit an area of the Baghdad Internation Aiport in which US forces were houses, though no casualites were reported.

US soldiers walk near a rocket launcher missile at Basmaya military base in Baghdad (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED AMEEN)
US soldiers walk near a rocket launcher missile at Basmaya military base in Baghdad
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED AMEEN)

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

The officials said the rockets landed near the area of the airport which houses US forces and there were no reported damages or casualties.

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 which 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 US 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.

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