{"id":14367,"date":"2020-03-12T11:27:40","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T11:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/12\/iraq-will-investigate-attack-on-base-that-killed-us-troops\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:34:13","slug":"iraq-will-investigate-attack-on-base-that-killed-us-troops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/12\/iraq-will-investigate-attack-on-base-that-killed-us-troops\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraq will investigate attack on base that killed US troops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAGHDAD \u2014 Iraq\u2019s military said Thursday it opened an investigation into a rocket attack that killed three service members<\/a>, including two Americans, at an Iraqi base housing coalition forces, igniting fears of an escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions after months of detente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 12 coalition personnel were also wounded late Wednesday by a barrage of rockets targeting Camp Taji base, located 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of Baghdad, according to a U.S.-led coalition statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A British service member, identified as 26-year old Lance Corp. Brodie Gillon was also killed in the attack, according to London\u2019s Defense Ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A truck rigged with 107 mm Katyusha rocket launchers was discovered by Iraqi security forces a few kilometers (miles) from the base following the attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"rocket-rigged
This photo released by the government-affiliated Media Security Cell on Thursday, March 12, 2020, shows a rocket-rigged truck launcher after a rocket attack on Camp Taji, a few miles north of Baghdad, in Rashidiya, Iraq. (Media Security Cell via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A military statement from Iraq\u2019s joint operations command said caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi ordered the investigation into what he called \u201ca very serious security challenge and hostile act.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations condemned the attack, saying it took \u201ccritical political attention away\u201d from Iraq\u2019s ongoing domestic challenges, which threaten to create a power vacuum in the Iraqi government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe last thing Iraq needs is to serve as an arena for vendettas and external battles,\u201d the statement said. <\/p>\n\n\n\t