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Australian Defence Force personnel have escaped injury after an Iranian projectile landed near Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, according to confirmation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
An accommodation block and medical facility were damaged by fire during the attack on March 18, Mr Albanese said during press conference in Tasmania.
“No Australian personnel were injured and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time. 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 on a road leading up to that base,” he said.
“I have been to that base and spoken to our Australian Defence Force personnel on more than one occasion. They do a great job for Australia, as do every one of the men and women who proudly wear a uniform.
“And this is important, the first available opportunity, we're informing the Australian public in a transparent way. But I can assure everyone that every person there is safe.
“I've spoken with the Defence Minister about this and it's important that we recognise that the Iranian regime is continuing to engage in, frankly, random attacks right across the Gulf region.
“Australia has, of course, as a result of that, we have an E-7 Wedgetail aircraft providing assistance for defence, particularly in the UAE, as well as our AMRAAMs that we are sending to the region.”
Al Minhad acts as an operational hub for the Australian Defence Force, as well as personnel from the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The base is owned by the UAE government.
Earlier this month, the Australian Government confirmed a E-7A Wedgetail aircraft would be sent to the United Arab Emirates to assist in the defence of Gulf states that Iran has attacked.
