At least 12 U.S. service members were wounded, two seriously, after Iran fired ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base on Friday. The base, shared by Saudi and U.S. forces, is outside the capital Riyadh.
CNN reported on Saturday morning that the two service members facing serious injuries suffered from shrapnel injuries that are “not life threatening.” The attack was carried out by Iranian missiles and drones. The two soldiers with shrapnel injuries were described as “very seriously injured,” while the others were called “seriously injured,” two different classifications under the military’s system.
Iran released Chinese satellite photos of what they say are burning aircraft at the base. It said one of the tankers, which refuel fighter jets in the air, was destroyed and three others damaged.
Washington has dispatched two contingents of Marines to the region, the first of which is due to arrive in the coming days aboard a large amphibious assault ship. The Pentagon is also expected to deploy thousands of elite airborne soldiers.