A British soldier and two US soldiers have actually been killed and 12 union personnel hurt in a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq.

Britain has actually condemned the attack as “cowardly and retrograde”.

The death marks the first time a British serviceperson has actually been killed by enemy fire considering that the UK released its operation versus Islamic State along with allies in 2014.

No group has actually yet declared to be behind the barrage of rockets that struck Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, on Wednesday.

An Iranian-backed militia has in the past targeted US- led union forces.

If the Kataib Hezbollah militia was included it might set off a substantial reaction from the United States versus the group and likewise possibly versus Iran,

Boris Johnson revealed his “deep sadness” at the death of a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps. The serviceperson’s family has actually been notified.

“My thoughts go out to their loved ones at this extremely difficult time,” the prime minister stated in a declaration.

“We will continue to stay in close contact with our coalition partners to establish exactly what happened.”

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Boris Johnson called the attack ‘awful’

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, spoke by telephone on Thursday night with his American equivalent, Mike Pompeo.

The US secretary of state composed on Twitter: “Today’s deadly attack on Iraq’s Camp Taji military base will not be tolerated. @DominicRaab and I agree – those responsible will be held accountable.”

Union and Iraqi forces are examining the attack.

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The truck was discovered about 10 miles from thebase Picture: Iraqi security media cell

They stated about 18 Katyusha rockets struck Camp Taji. Iraqi security personnel found a “rocket-rigged truck” a couple of miles far from the base.

The citizenships of the hurt personnel have actually not been exposed.

Ben Wallace, Britain’s defence secretary, called the attack a “cowardly and retrograde act”.

“The men and women of the UK armed forces are in Iraq to help that country establish stability and prosperity. The people that did this are not friends of Iraq,” he stated in a declaration.

“My thoughts are with the families of those whose loved ones have been killed or injured. We shall not forget their sacrifice and will ensure those who committed these acts face justice.”

The last time a US person was killed in a rocket attack blamed on Iranian-backed militia last December, the United States struck back by releasing airstrikes versus the group in Iraq and throughout the border in Syria.

The US action activated mass demonstration outside the American embassy in Baghdad. The Kataib Hezbollah militia becomes part of a group of militias that are formally identified by the Iraqi federal government and played a substantial role in the battle versus Islamic State.

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Some rockets were still inside the launcher. Picture: Iraqi security media cell

President Donald Trump then approved the assassination of a leading Iranian general while he was on a see to Baghdad on 3 January.

The killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani – a male who played a basic role in the advancement of Iranian proxy militias that killed and impaired lots of US and British forces in Iraq following the 2003 Iraq war – triggered outrage in pro-Iranian parts of the area.

5 days later on, the Iranian routine reacted by shooting cruise rockets versus military bases in neighbouring Iraq, where US forces were housed.

No American personnel were killed and President Trump picked not to intensify the conflict even more, bringing the two countries far from the verge of full-scale war.

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President Trump authorised the killing of Qassem Solemani, however chose not to intensify the conflict even more

Nevertheless his wiliness to strike to avenge the death of an American person appeared to set a brand-new red line.

This indicates it is extremely most likely the United States will introduce some sort of vindictive action following the Camp Taji rocket attack if any Iranian-link is discovered.

It is a substantial minute too for Britain, triggering the first British death by hostile fire in 6 years of operations in Iraq and Syria versus Islamic State.

An overall of 4 British service personnel participating in Operation Shader have actually passed away.

The previous 3 deaths – one in Iraq, one at a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus and another in Syria – were triggered respectively by an unexpected shooting, a traffic mishap and so-called friendly fire.

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