Iran missile attacks: US bases in Iraq hit by 22 rockets

mangaloretoday/ yahoo

Iraq, Jan 08, 2020: As details emerged of the retaliatory strikes, where 22 missiles were fired, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: "We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation."

The rockets from Iran struck US targets last night, hitting two Iraqi airbases where American and coalition forces are based.

Iran launched surface-to-surface missiles in attacks on the Ain al-Assad and Erbil bases as revenge for the killing of Gen Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad last week.

There are so far no reports of casualties, but it was Iran’s most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the US Embassy in Tehran. The operation was codenamed "Martyr Soleimani".

In a tweet, Donald Trump said: "All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!

"We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."

In a sign that Tehran was seeking to draw a line under the recent escalation of tensions, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said: “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression”.

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has said the missile strikes were a "slap in the face" for Washington.

The head of state reiterated added that the US may have ’cut off Soleimani’s arm’ but Iran would respond by ’cutting off your leg’ in the Middle East region.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, a branch of the Iranian army close t the country’s supreme leader, has ordered the White House to "recall US troops" from the region.

The Pentagon confirmed the attacks: “At approximately 5.30pm (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq.

"It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil.”
What we know so far

    Iran launches more than a dozen rockets at US bases in Iraq
    Al-Assad and Erbil bases targeted
    Trump tweets: "All is well!" and "So far, so good!"
    Price of oil leaps after attack
    Operation codenamed "Martyr Soleimani"
    No casualties reported

Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said: "It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran."

He said the attacks "targeted at least two Iraqi military bases" and that the US is "working on initial battle damage assessments". There are about 5,000 American troops in Iraq.

Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, and Mark Esper, the defence secretary, arrived quickly at the White House to brief the president.

Mr Raab said: "We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition - including British - forces.

He added: "A war in the Middle East would only benefit Daesh and other terrorist groups."