Islamic State (IS) militants have captured a key Iraq town about five miles away from an air base that houses hundreds of United States troops.
According to BBC, Ain al-Asad air base was attacked by the jihadists on Friday wherein the militants were later repelled, said officials.
It is the first time in the last few months that the IS has taken over new ground, said a Pentagon spokesperson Rear Adm John Kirby.
He also said that a team of suicide bombers had tried to attack the base on Friday.
U.S. and Iraqi officials said that eight militants were killed in the subsequent counter-attack.