Snow falls throughout a chilly climate spell in Irbil, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photograph/Khalid Mohammed)
BAGHDAD --
As many as 12 missiles have been fired Sunday towards the U.S. consulate in Iraq's northern metropolis of Irbil, Iraqi safety officers stated. A U.S. protection official stated missiles had been launched on the metropolis from neighbouring Iran.
Officers in Iraq and the U.S. gave totally different accounts of injury. A second U.S. official stated there was no harm and no casualties at any U.S. authorities facility, however Iraqi officers stated a number of missiles had hit the U.S. consulate. The consulate constructing is new and presently unoccupied.
The U.S. protection official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of info was nonetheless coming in, stated it was nonetheless not sure precisely what number of missiles have been fired and precisely the place they landed.
The Iraqi safety officers stated there have been no speedy report of casualties from the assault, which occurred shortly after midnight and brought on materials harm within the space. They spoke on situation of anonymity in keeping with laws.
One of many Iraqi officers stated the ballistic missiles have been fired from Iran, with out elaborating. The U.S. officers couldn't verify the kind of missile.
The second U.S. official stated the incident was being investigated by the federal government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Authorities. The U.S. condemned what it known as an "outrageous assault in opposition to Iraqi sovereignty and show of violence," the official stated in a press release.
The assault got here a number of days after an Israeli strike close to Damascus, Syria, killed two members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran's international ministry strongly condemned the assault Wednesday and vowed revenge.
On Sunday, Iran's state-run IRNA information company quoted Iraqi media acknowledging the assaults in Irbil, with out saying the place they originated.
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 ground.
A safety assertion stated Irbil was focused "with a variety of missiles" early Sunday, including that safety forces have been investigating the incident and would launch extra particulars later.
The assault comes as negotiations in Vienna over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal hit a "pause" over Russian calls for about sanctions focusing on Moscow over its conflict on Ukraine.
The highest U.S. commander for the Center East has repeatedly warned in regards to the growing threats of assaults from Iran and Iranian-back 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 function, Iran and its proxies nonetheless need all American troops to depart the nation. In consequence, 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 step by step moved to an advisory function final 12 months. The troops will nonetheless present air assist and different navy support for Iraq's battle in opposition to 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 high Iranian common. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, the place U.S. troops have been stationed. Greater than 100 service members suffered traumatic mind accidents within the blasts.
Extra lately, Iranian proxies are believed chargeable for an assassination try late final 12 months on Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
And officers have stated they consider Iran was behind the October drone assault on the navy outpost in southern Syria the place American troops are primarily based. No U.S. personnel have been killed or injured within the assault.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi tweeted: "The aggression which focused the pricey metropolis of Irbil and unfold concern amongst its inhabitants is an assault on the safety of our folks."
Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled area, condemned the assault. In a Fb put up, he stated Irbil "is not going to bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist assault."
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Related Press writers Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee in Washington 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.
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