Iran strikes US military bases in Iraq — in retaliation over Soleimani

Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on US military bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, Iranian general, on Wednesday.

The BBC reports that more than a dozen missiles launched from Iran struck two air bases in Irbil and Al Asad, west of Baghdad.

It is unclear if there have been any casualties.

But the Iraqi military said there were no casualties from its forces.

“Between 1:45 am and 2:15 am (2245 GMT and 2315 GMT) Iraq was hit by 22 missiles, 17 on the Ain al-Asad air base an five on the city of Arbil,” the Iraqi military said.

“There were no victims among the Iraqi forces,”

US President Donald Trump had tweeted that all was well and said casualties and damage were being assessed.

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) 8 January 2020

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, described the attack on the bases as “a slap in the face” of the US.

“When it comes to confrontation, military action of this kind is not enough. What is important is that the corrupt presence of the United States should come to an end,” he said.

Last Friday, Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad international airport.

The Pentagon said the attack was carried out on the order of Trump to deter “future Iranian attack plans”.

It added that Soleimani was killed because he “was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region”.

Ayatollah Khamenei had vowed to avenge the killing, saying “harsh revenge awaits the criminals” involved.

It is not clear if the latest attack is the ”harsh revenge” vowed by Iran’s supreme leader.