At least three rockets have struck outside an airport near where US forces are based in northern Iraq, killing one American-led coalition contractor and wounding at least eight other people.
The attacks, which occurred late on Monday, have once again triggered fears of new hostilities in the region.
Confirming the incidents, Iraqi security and coalition officials said the rockets hit areas between the civilian Irbil international airport in the semi-autonomous Kurdish-ruled region and the nearby base hosting US troops at 9:30 pm. No one immediately claimed responsibility.
One civilian contractor with the coalition was killed and five others wounded, the Associated Press quoted coalition spokesman US Army Colonel Wayne Marotto as saying. One American service member was injured. The Colonel did not disclose the nationality of the dead contractor, saying it was under investigation.
At least two civilians were also injured and the rockets damaged cars and other property, security officials said.
The rockets were launched from an area south of Irbil near the border with Kirkuk province and fell on some residential areas close to the airport.
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