BREAKING: Iran Launches Missile Attacks On Facilities Housing US Troops In Iraq
Iran has launched a series of missile attacks on US facilities in northern Iraq, including the Ain al-Asad military base where US troops are stationed, less than a week after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani , one of Iran’s top generals.
Iranian state television said the Revolutionary Guard had attacked Ain al-Asad airbase. A second facility near Erbil airport was also hit.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Iran had taken and concluded “proportionate measures” under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he said on Twitter.
13 rockets had been fired at Ain al-Asad airbase and there had also been an attack on facilities close to the airport in Erbil.
The air raids come less than a week after the US attack on Soleimani, who was killed near Baghdad’s international airport, alongside Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several others.
Soleimani was buried early on Wednesday morning in the southeastern city of Kerman, as mourners stood by the graveside.
In a statement soon after the missile launches, Iran warned US allies in the region that they too would be attacked if they allowed their countries to be used for attacking Iran. State television warned of “more crushing responses” if the US launched any fresh attacks. It also threatened Israel.
Pentagon has confirmed more than a dozen rockets had been launched against US military and coalition forces in Iraq and that the missiles had come from Iran.
“We are working on initial battle damage assessments,” Pentagon
spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. “We will all take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners and allies in the region.”
There were no immediate reports of casualties. A US official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press news agency there were
“few, if any” casualties.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived at the White House late on Tuesday, and an official said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the attacks and was monitoring the situation closely.
Hours earlier, Esper said the US should anticipate a response from Iran for the killing of Soleimani who was commander of the elite Quds Force.
Iran on Wednesday hit two sites in northern Iraq where US forces are stationed
“I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form,” he told a news briefing at the Pentagon, adding that such retaliation could be through Iran-backed proxy groups outside of Iran or “by their own hand.”
“We’re prepared for any contingency. And then we will respond appropriately to whatever they do.”
In Washington, Trump tweeted “All is well!” and said he would make a statement early on Wednesday US time.
Iranian state television said the Revolutionary Guard had attacked Ain al-Asad airbase. A second facility near Erbil airport was also hit.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Iran had taken and concluded “proportionate measures” under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he said on Twitter.
13 rockets had been fired at Ain al-Asad airbase and there had also been an attack on facilities close to the airport in Erbil.
The air raids come less than a week after the US attack on Soleimani, who was killed near Baghdad’s international airport, alongside Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several others.
Soleimani was buried early on Wednesday morning in the southeastern city of Kerman, as mourners stood by the graveside.
In a statement soon after the missile launches, Iran warned US allies in the region that they too would be attacked if they allowed their countries to be used for attacking Iran. State television warned of “more crushing responses” if the US launched any fresh attacks. It also threatened Israel.
Pentagon has confirmed more than a dozen rockets had been launched against US military and coalition forces in Iraq and that the missiles had come from Iran.
“We are working on initial battle damage assessments,” Pentagon
spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. “We will all take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners and allies in the region.”
There were no immediate reports of casualties. A US official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press news agency there were
“few, if any” casualties.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived at the White House late on Tuesday, and an official said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the attacks and was monitoring the situation closely.
Hours earlier, Esper said the US should anticipate a response from Iran for the killing of Soleimani who was commander of the elite Quds Force.
Iran on Wednesday hit two sites in northern Iraq where US forces are stationed
“I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form,” he told a news briefing at the Pentagon, adding that such retaliation could be through Iran-backed proxy groups outside of Iran or “by their own hand.”
“We’re prepared for any contingency. And then we will respond appropriately to whatever they do.”
In Washington, Trump tweeted “All is well!” and said he would make a statement early on Wednesday US time.
Comments
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: The comments on the blog are the views and opinions of the readers and does not represent that of Confluence Reporters.