Snow falls throughout a chilly climate spell in Irbil, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Picture/Khalid Mohammed)
BAGHDAD --
Iran claimed accountability Sunday for a missile barrage that struck close to a sprawling U.S. consulate advanced in northern Iraq, saying it was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard earlier this week.
Iraq's International Ministry on Sunday summoned Iran's ambassador to protest the assault, calling it a flagrant violation of the nation's sovereignty.
No accidents had been reported in Sunday's assault on the town of Irbil, which marked a major escalation between the U.S. and Iran. Hostility between the longtime foes has typically performed out in Iraq, whose authorities is allied with each international locations.
The assault drew harsh condemnation from the Iraqi authorities, which referred to as it a "violation of worldwide regulation and norms" and demanded an evidence from the Iranian management. Iraq's International Ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Sahhaf instructed The Related Press that the ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador, Iraj Masjedi, to ship the diplomatic protest.
America stated the missile strike emanated from Iran and strongly condemned it.
"The strikes had been an outrageous violation of Iraq's sovereignty. No U.S. amenities had been broken or personnel injured, and we have now no indications the assault was directed at the USA," State Division spokesman Ned Value instructed reporters in Washington.
Iran's highly effective Revolutionary Guard stated on its web site that it attacked what it described as an Israeli spy middle in Irbil. It didn't elaborate, however in a press release stated Israel had been on the offensive, citing the latest strike that killed two members of the Revolutionary Guard. The semi-official Tasnim information company quoted an unnamed supply as saying Iran fired 10 Fateh missiles, together with a number of Fateh-110 missiles, which have a variety of about 300 kilometers (186 miles).
The supply claimed the assault resulted in a number of casualties. There was no fast remark from Israel on the allegations or the Iranian missile barrage.
An Iraqi official in Baghdad initially stated a number of missiles had hit the U.S. consulate in Irbil, which is new and unoccupied, including that it had been the meant goal of the assault. Later, Lawk Ghafari, the top of Kurdistan's international media workplace, stated not one of the missiles had struck the U.S. facility however that residential areas across the compound had been hit.
Following a Cupboard assembly, the Iraqi authorities in Baghdad reiterated its refusal to permit Iraq for use to settle scores between different international locations and stated it has requested an evidence from the Iranian management.
Satellite tv for pc broadcast channel Kurdistan24, which is situated close to the U.S. consulate, went on air from their studio shortly after the assault, exhibiting shattered glass and particles on their studio flooring.
The assault got here a number of days after Iran stated it will retaliate for an Israeli strike close to Damascus, Syria, that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard. On Sunday, Iran's state-run IRNA information company quoted Iraqi media acknowledging the assaults in Irbil, with out saying the place they originated.
The missile barrage coincided with regional tensions. Negotiations in Vienna over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal hit a "pause" over Russian calls for about sanctions concentrating on Moscow for its conflict on Ukraine. In the meantime, Iran suspended its secret Baghdad-brokered talks geared toward defusing yearslong tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia, after Saudi Arabia carried out its largest identified mass execution in its trendy historical past with over three dozens Shiites killed.
Iraqi safety officers stated there have been no casualties from the Irbil assault, which they stated occurred after midnight and triggered materials harm within the space. They spoke on situation of anonymity in keeping with rules.
One of many Iraqi officers stated the ballistic missiles had been fired from Iran, with out elaborating. He stated the Iranian-made Fateh-110 missiles possible had been fired in retaliation for the 2 Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria.
U.S. forces stationed at Irbil's airport compound have come underneath fireplace from rocket and drone assaults prior to now, with U.S. officers blaming Iran-backed teams.
The highest U.S. commander for the Center East has repeatedly warned in regards to the growing threats of assaults from Iran and Iranian-backed militias on troops and allies in Iraq and Syria.
In an interview with The Related Press in December, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie stated that whereas U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to a non-combat position, Iran and its proxies nonetheless need all American troops to go away the nation. Because of this, he stated, which will set off extra assaults.'
The Biden administration determined final July to finish the U.S. fight mission in Iraq by Dec. 31, and U.S. forces regularly moved to an advisory position final 12 months. The troops will nonetheless present air help and different navy assist for Iraq's combat towards the Islamic State.
The U.S. presence in Iraq has lengthy been a flash level for Tehran, however tensions spiked after a January 2020 U.S. drone strike close to the Baghdad airport killed a prime Iranian normal. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, the place U.S. troops had been stationed. Greater than 100 service members suffered traumatic mind accidents within the blasts.
Extra lately, Iranian proxies are believed accountable for an assassination try late final 12 months on Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
And officers have stated they imagine Iran was behind the October drone assault on the navy outpost in southern Syria the place American troops are based mostly. No U.S. personnel had been killed or injured within the assault.
Al-Kadhimi tweeted: "The aggression which focused the pricey metropolis of Irbil and unfold worry amongst its inhabitants is an assault on the safety of our individuals."
Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled area, condemned the assault. In a Fb put up, he stated Irbil "won't bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist assault."
------
Related Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Calvin Woodward and Matthew Lee in Washington, Zeina Karam in Beirut, Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Correction:
This story has been corrected to point out U.S. officers didn't say the U.S. consulate had been been broken.
Post a Comment