Iraq

2022 - 3 - 12

Post cover — Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Iran claims missile barrage near US consulate in Iraq (ABC News)

Iran has claimed responsibility for a missile barrage that struck near a sprawling U.S. consulate complex in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, saying it was ...

No U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack. In a Facebook post, he said Irbil “will not bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist attack.” An Iraqi official in Baghdad initially said several missiles had hit the U.S. consulate in Irbil, which is new and unoccupied, adding that it had been the intended target of the attack. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, where U.S. troops were stationed. One of the Iraqi officials said the ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, without elaborating. The troops will still provide air support and other military aid for Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State. The attack drew harsh condemnation from the Iraqi government, which called it a “violation of international law and norms” and demanded an explanation from the Iranian leadership. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the allegations or the Iranian missile barrage. The missile barrage coincided with regional tensions. “The strikes were an outrageous violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. As a result, he said, that may trigger more attacks.’

Missiles target U.S. consulate in north Iraq, no casualties (Politico)

The attack comes as negotiations in Vienna over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal hit a “pause” over Russian demands about sanctions targeting Moscow over its ...

No U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack. In a Facebook post, he said Irbil “will not bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist attack.” In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, where U.S. troops were stationed. One of the Iraqi officials said the ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, without elaborating. An Iraqi official in Baghdad initially said several missiles had hit the U.S. consulate in Irbil, which is new and unoccupied, adding that it had been the intended target of the attack. The troops will still provide air support and other military aid for Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the allegations or the Iranian missile barrage. “The strikes were an outrageous violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. The missile barrage coincided with regional tensions. As a result, he said, that may trigger more attacks.’ The top U.S. commander for the Middle East has repeatedly warned about the increasing threats of attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed militias on troops and allies in Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Consulate in Iraq's Kurdistan Hit by Rockets: Sky (Bloomberg)

At least five long-range rockets targeted the U.S. consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil in Kurdistan, early Sunday, according to Sky. This story was ...

Missiles land near US consulate in northern Iraq city of Erbil (The Guardian)

US and Iraqi officials say there were no reports of casualties from the attack, which one official said was launched from Iran.

An Iraqi official in Baghdad at first said several missiles had hit the consulate and that it was the target of the attack. Officials in Iraq and the US gave different accounts of damage. One US official said there was no damage and no casualties at any US government facility, and that there was no indication the target was the consulate building, which is new and currently unoccupied.

Iranian Guards claim ballistic missile attacks in Erbil (Aljazeera.com)

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim the missile attacks, saying it targeted Israeli 'strategic centre' in Iraq.

Iran has denied involvement in those attacks. The last time ballistic missiles were directed at US forces was in January 2020 – an Iranian retaliation for the US killing earlier that month of its military commander Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport. The US forces stationed at Erbil’s international airport complex have in the past come under fire from rocket and drone attacks that US officials blame on Iran-aligned armed groups, but no such attacks have occurred for several months. A US State Department spokesperson called it an “outrageous attack” but said no Americans were hurt and there was no damage to US government facilities in Erbil. “Parts of the fired missiles were retrieved and it was manufactured by Iran,” he said. The elite forces in a statement released on Sunday said it targeted the Israeli “strategic centre” in the country.

Ballistic missiles hit Iraq's Kurdish capital, but no casualties reported (CNBC)

Earlier, several rockets landed in Irbil, Kurdish officials said, and a U.S. official told Reuters that there were no U.S. military casualties from that ...

An Iraqi security official told Reuters that the missiles were manufactured in Iran. Iran denies involvement in those attacks. The last time ballistic missiles were directed at U.S. forces was in January 2020 - an Iranian retaliation for the U.S. killing earlier that month of its military commander Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport. Iraq has been rocked by chronic instability since the defeat of the Sunni Islamist group Islamic State in 2017 by a loose coalition of Iraqi, U.S.-led and Iran-backed forces. Iraq and neighboring Syria are regularly the scene of violence between the United States and Iran. Iran-backed Shi'ite Islamist militias have attacked U.S. forces in both countries and Washington has on occasion retaliated with air strikes. No U.S. personnel were killed in the 2020 attack but many suffered head injuries. "Parts of the fired missiles were retrieved and it was manufactured by Iran," he said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for a dozen ballistic missiles that struck Iraq's northern Kurdish regional capital of Irbil in the early hours of Sunday, Iran's state media reported, adding that the attack was against Israeli "strategic centers" in Irbil. Separately, U.S. State Department spokesperson called it an "outrageous attack" but said no Americans were hurt and there was no damage to U.S. government facilities in Irbil. In another sign of increased regional tensions, Iran also suspended on Sunday a fifth round of talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia that were due to take place in Baghdad on Wednesday. "Any repetition of attacks by Israel will be met with a harsh, decisive and destructive response," the Revolutionary Guard said in a statement reported by state media. U.S. forces stationed at Irbil's international airport complex have in the past come under fire from rocket and drone attacks that Washington blames on Iran-aligned militia groups, but no such attacks have occurred for several months.