U.S. troops describe 'miraculous' escape at Iraqi base attacked by Iran

U.S. soldiers inspect the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. January 13, 2020. REUTERS/John Davison

AIN AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (Reuters) - Troops at the Iraqi air base that bore the brunt of Iran's first direct missile attack against U.S. forces said they were shocked by its intensity and grateful to emerge unscathed.

The scale of the damage at the Ain al-Asad base showed Iran's destructive capability at a time when U.S. officials say they are still concerned that Iran-backed groups across the region could wage attacks on the United States.