ISIS Suicde Bombers Infiltrate Iraqi Air Base Hosting US Troops

Islamic State suicide bombers were able to enter an Iraqi Army base where 300 US troops are stationed to train Iraqi soldiers.

ABC News reports the attack took place shortly before 7:30 a.m. local time at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar Province Feb. 12. No US soldiers were injured in the attack, and the US troops are said to have been kilometers away from the action.

The attackers were able to enter the base because they were wearing uniforms of the Iraqi army. The suicide bombers target appeared to be a crucial building where Iraqi military operations are headquartered. There were also a number of high-ranking Iraqi officials in the facility at the time of the attack, according to ABC.

The Al Asad Air Base is a large facility, nearly 25 square miles in size. Although the base is under Iraqi government control, it lies near the frontlines of fighting against ISIS. As the attack on the base took place, Iraqi forces were attempting to drive out ISIS fighters in the town of al Baghdadi, where they had recently gained control of a police station.

The air base has been a regular target of mortar fire, but the attacks are usually ineffectual, according to ABC.

Reuters reports that the US personnel on the base are Marines. Reuters also reports that the assault was made possible by poor weather conditions which limited the ability of the international coalition supporting the Iraqi Army to utilize its air capabilities.

From Thursday to Friday, the coalition carried out seven airstrikes. Of those, five are said to have taken place less than 30 miles away from the air base.

The attack against the air base seems to be the closest to danger US soldiers have come since the United States once again became involved in hostilities in Iraq.