Australian facilities damaged in Iranian attack on Middle East air base

Iran has attacked an air base in the Middle East where Australian troops are stationed, causing a fire that damaged facilities used for medical care and lodging. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that an Iranian projectile struck a road near the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates around 9:15 AM AEDT today. It remains unclear whether the attack was by missile or drone, but Mr. Albanese confirmed that it ignited a fire which resulted in “minor damage” to both the accommodation block and medical facility. “I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time,” Albanese stated. “There was minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility due to a small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base.” Over 100 Australian military personnel are stationed at Al Minhad, which also accommodates British troops and a small number of United States forces. Although the base is owned by the UAE, Australia utilizes it as its main center for military operations, logistics, surveillance, and training in the Middle East. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has operated from this hub since 2003, although their presence was reduced after the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. ADF members frequently travel to and from the wider region through Al Minhad.