An Air Force gunship struck a vehicle in Iraq on Monday, killing a group of Iran-backed militants who had just targeted an air base used by Americans to train and assist Iraqi soldiers in the fight against ISIS.

Pentagon officials said Tuesday that a AC-130J Ghostrider was in the area when the fighters launched close-range ballistic missiles at the Al Asad Air Base, causing “several non-serious” injuries and damage to base infrastructure. 

The strike was the latest attack on American troops operating in Iraq and Syria. Since Oct. 17, U.S. forces have been hit 66 times, with 62 reported injuries, but Monday’s incident was the first involving a ballistic missile, officials said.

The number of attacks against U.S. forces has risen since the start of Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group, but Pentagon officials have routinely insisted there is no confirmed link.

In response to the growing number of attacks on U.S. troops, the Pentagon has ordered strikes on weapons and ammunition depots used by Iran-backed militants. Monday’s C-130 gunship mission was ordered by commanders in the field after the militants were spotted at the scene, officials said.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.