US forces and Iraqi Army military installations are situated near the airport, which was put on alert after loud rocket sirens became audible for a period of time before blasts were reported. Al-Arabiya alleged that the attacks targeted US assets in the region.
Breaking: sirens sound near Baghdad international airport after blasts reported, they could be a result of a rocket attack #Iraq #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/JC2BL2ONkZ
— Steven nabil (@thestevennabil) 8 December 2019
There have been no reports of damage or casualties. Local reporters claim at least four projectiles hit the area in the vicinity of the airport, adding that an unidentified military jet was seen flying above the area.
#UPDATE: Reports 4 rockets fell around the Baghdad International Airport and that there is now a flight of aircraft (possibly military?) above the airport https://t.co/2NtQLL9oQd
— ELINT News (@ELINTNews) 9 December 2019
The ELINT news media outlet said earlier that international flights were reportedly diverted from the Baghdad airspace due to the missile attacks.
#UPDATE: Possible a number of international flights above Baghdad have been diverted to the northeast of the city, including an Air France flight, due to rocket/missile launches reportedly targeting US forces at Baghdad International Airport pic.twitter.com/yQrTbftK7y
— ELINT News (@ELINTNews) 8 December 2019
No group or country has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The airport is situated near a facility reportedly used by the US-led anti-terrorist coalition forces in Iraq.
Last week, Iraqi authorities said that the Ayn al-Asad Airbase, hosting US armed forces personnel in the western Al Anbar Governorate, was struck with five projectiles.