The US Department of Defense has confirmed that more than a dozen of ballistic missiles were fired by Iran which hit no fewer than two air bases housing US troops in Iraq.
According to Iranian state TV, the attack is a retaliation after the country’s top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Baghdad on the orders of US President Donald Trump.
While reacting to the incident, the Pentagon disclosed that no fewer than two sites were attacked in Irbil and Al Asad but it is unclear if there have been any casualties.
In a statement released by the White House spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, it stated that “We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The president has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team,”.
Minutes after the missiles attack, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard disclosed that the attack was in retaliation for the death of Soleimani on Friday.
In a statement distributed by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, it partly stated that “We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,”.
While reacting to the development, Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister issued a statement on Twitter that the attack was self-defence and denied seeking to escalate the situation into war.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
Reacting to the incident via his Twitter handle, President Donald Trump tweeted that “all is well” and further added that they had not yet assessed possible casualties.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
According to Al Mayadeen TV, the second attack occurred in Irbil shortly after the first rockets hit Al Asad.
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