Suicide Bomber Attack Foiled At U.S. Airbase In Iraq

Multiple witness reports indicate members of the Islamic State terrorist group were advancing on a U.S. military base holding U.S. servicemen in Iraq before they were stopped by guards. 

BBC News reports that fighter jets led by U.S. and the Iraqi army were able to successfully push back Islamic State militants fast-approaching the Ain al-Asad airbase that holds 300 U.S. troops.

The militants were able to advance to the base after attacking the nearby town of al-Baghdadi.

A statement released by the Combined Joint Task Force indicates that a group of Islamic State militants approached the military base disguised Iraqi Army soldiers. The men were wearing suicide bombs and would have entered the base if not for the combined surveillance efforts of the Iraqi Army and U.S. intelligence.

Rear Adm. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, confirmed that U.S. troops were far away from the planned attack and were in no danger to a direct threat. "At no time were U.S. troops anywhere near the fighting," Kirby told reporters Friday.

Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues in the nearby town of al-Baghdadi, located about 5 kilometers from the base where Islamic State fighters have gained control of part of the town.

Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Commander Elissa Smith confirmed to Reuters that there was "heavy fighting" in al-Baghdadi.

Continued Islamic State fighting comes after President Barack Obama requested Congress allow the U.S. to take military action against the Islamic State.

"It threatens American personnel and facilities located in the region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller," the president said in a statement earlier this week. "If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland."