American dies of ‘cardiac episode’ after rocket attack on Iraq air base - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

Mar 3, 2021

A picture taken on January 13, 2020 during a press tour organised by the US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group, shows US soldiers clearing rubble at Ain al-Asad military airbase in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. - Iran last week launched a wave of missiles at the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, both hosting US and other foreign troops, in retaliation for the US killing top Iranian general Qasem — US soldiers clear rubble at al-Asad military air base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar on Jan. 13, 2020, during a press tour organized by the US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State. — AYMAN HENNA/AFP via Getty Images

An American military contractor died of a “cardiac episode” after taking shelter during a rocket attack on Iraq’s al-Asad air base early Wednesday, the Pentagon has confirmed.

The unidentified civilian is the first US citizen who has died in Iraq’s recurrent rocket attacks since President Joe Biden took office, marking the latest test for the new administration as it seeks rapprochement with Iran.

US President Joe Biden signs an executive order on securing critical supply chains, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 24, 2021. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

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Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Korean Navy's destroyer Yulgok Yi I (C), U.S. Navy's USS Benfold (R) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Atago (L) sail in formation during a joint naval exercise in international waters on April 17, 2023 at an undisclosed location. South Korea, the United States and Japan held a trilateral missile defense exercise in the international waters on Monday, Seoul's Navy said, amid stepped-up efforts to sharpen deterrence against N

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Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff