BREAKING NEWS: Missiles hit Al-Balad airbase housing American troops

Within the last 30 minutes there has been a fresh attack launched on an Iraqi military base housing US troops IRAQ’S Al-Balad airbase has been attacked, wounding four Iraqi military personnel, it also thought american troops have been injured.

The base also houses US forces and was apparently struck by seven mortar bombs.  The bombs fell within the base’s runway although it has not been confirmed who was behind the attack. Iraq’s military base is located 80km (50 miles) north of Baghdad. 

The Iraqi news agency reported that there had been “five Katyusha rockets” rather than mortar bombs. The country’s military acknowledged the attack in a statement shortly after the event.

The attack comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East with the UK’s ambassador to Iran, Rob Macaire being detained in Tehran on Saturday. 

Mr Macair had been accused of inflaming anti-government tensions as protestors gathered in the city to condemn the attack on the Ukrainian Airlines flight 752, which killed all 176 people.  

The ambassador was released after more than an hour in custody but Dominic Raab, called the arrest a “flagrant violation” of international law.  Mr Raab said: “The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law.