Iran fires more than a dozen missiles at two US military bases in Iraq
The attack on Ain-Assad and Erbil was dubbed 'Operation Martyr Soleimani' but no significant damage is reported as both bases were on high alert
The Middle East crisis is hotting up. After the killing of General Suleimani close to Baghdad airport, the Islamic Republic of Iran has retaliated. The attack, dubbed "Operation Martyr Suleimani," resulted in Iran launching more than a dozen missiles at two US military bases that house US troops in Iraq.
This appears to be in retaliation for the American airstrike that killed the Iranian general. CNN has reported that this attack means President Donald Trump is faced with the biggest test of his presidency to date.
No immediate reports of any casualties have been reported.
The attack
The US military has confirmed that Al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province was hit at least six times. The Pentagon also confirmed that at least one other base in the northern city of Erbil was targeted in the attack which commenced around 1:30 AM. The Khaleej Times has reported Tehran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles
The American president struck an upbeat tone in the immediate wake of the attacks.
He has tweeted that "all is well."
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.
Proportionate self-defense
The Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Twitter that Iran has carried out this attack as a "proportionate measures in self-defense.
" It is not clear whether Iran will take any further action as a reprisal for the death of General Suleimani. The general headed the elite al-Quds Force, an external operations wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC has a strength of about 150,000 and is better armed and trained than the regular army. The al-Quds force which was commanded by Suleimani has a strength of about 5000 and is positioned in Iraq.
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.
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So far, no report of any damage or death has been reported. The United States has said it was working on an initial assessment of the damage and said that the bases had been on high alert. An Iranian response was expected after the killing of the general.
Iran has signaled that if the USA does not retaliate there would be no further attacks.
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