IRBIL, 16 February 2021, (TON):  US military base in Irbil to protect Kurdish received series of rockets in an attack on Monday that killed a civilian contractor and wounded five other people including a US service member, according to reports by the US coalition in Iraq.

US-Kurdish security sources said at least three rockets landed near Irbil International Airport which caused several loud explosions and fire near the airport. US troops are holed up in the military base near Irbil airport. The US presence in Ain al-Asad Air Base and Irbil Air Base was subject of criticism for quite some time.

A statement from the Kurdish interior ministry said a number of rockets were fired towards Irbil and its outskirts on Monday killing one and wounding some people.

Reports says that US contractors are empowering a group Shiite group namely Saraya Awliya al-Dam overtly claiming to be anti-American to balance the situation arising of Turkish interests in Iraq, especially after  Turkish defense minister's visit to Iraq and sending of 25 Turkish military consultants to Baghdad to support Iraqi army. 

Sources in Baghdad said despite tension between the United States and Iran, Saraya Awliya al-Dam is being funded and armed to check foreign interference by neighbouring Muslim countries. However, inner circles claims that US has plans to target population in Kirkuk are surroundings.