Defence Minister Ron Mark is downplaying a rocket attack near Camp Taji in Iraq as the Defence Force confirms no Kiwis were harmed.
Katyusha rockets hit roughly 3km away from the military complex - located north of Baghdad and which also hosts American forces - on Wednesday morning in an attack which local media described as "fierce". Initial reports suggested the rockets landed on the base itself.
It's understood between two and five rockets were launched at the complex, but the base was not hit. SkyNews reports that one rocket landed outside one of the camp's gates, wounding a member of a security force. It is unclear which nationality that individual is.
The Iraqi military says there were no casualties. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
There are 45 New Zealanders located at Camp Taji in a non-combat training role. Those troops are expected to return to New Zealand by June.
In a statement to Newshub, a New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said there had been no NZDF personnel in the area where the rockets landed and all personnel at the camp were "safe and accounted for".
"As you will be aware, these events are a regular occurrence," the spokesperson said.
"The NZDF takes all precautions necessary in theatre to keep our people safe and continues to monitor the security situation."
Defence Minister downplays attack
Mark told Newshub that he had no information to suggest Camp Taji was targeted.
"So, 3km is either bad shooting or not intended for Taji," he said.
"We're monitoring and watching it and right now our people are focused. The standard protection measures are in place and I will just continue monitoring and listening to the information that comes through to me. I'm quite calm about it."
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He also rejected any suggestion a security guard posted near where the New Zealanders are based was injured.
"I find it unrealistic that a security guard at the part of Taji where New Zealanders were based would have been injured given that the rockets landed 3km from there," Mark said.
"Now is the time for restraint and de-escalation, and for diplomacy to take over."
"All I can say is I have no knowledge that occurred and I am receiving regular updates almost every half hour."
He said Cabinet is yet to discuss the situation.
