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Operation Martyr Soleimani

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Part of the American-led intervention in Iraq and Persian Gulf crisis
File:Ain al-Assad air base, 8 jan 2020.png
Damage (encircled) to at least five structures at Ayn al-Asad airbase in a series of missile attacks by Iran
Ayn al-Asad Airbase is located in Iraq<div style="position: absolute; top: Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "{".%; left: Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "{".%; height: 0; width: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
Red pog
<div style="font-size: 90%; line-height: 110%; position: relative; top: -1.5em; width: 6em; Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "{".">Ayn al-Asad Airbase
Location within Iraq
Operational scope Military strike targeting multiple sites
Location Ayn al-Asad Airbase, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq
33°48′N 42°26′E / 33.8°N 42.433°E / 33.8; 42.433
Planned by Iran Iran
Target Ayn al-Asad Airbase
Erbil Airbase
Date 8 January 2020 (UTC+03:00)
Executed by Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps[1]
Outcome 11 Qiam 1 missiles[2] hit Ayn al-Asad Airbase
1 Fateh-313 missile hits 20 miles from Erbil International Airport
1 Fateh-313 missile[2] reaches Erbil International Airport and does not explode
4 missiles fail in flight[3]
Casualties United States 109 U.S. military personnel injured (traumatic brain injury)[4]



On 8 January 2020, in a military operation code named Operation Martyr Soleimani (Persian: عملیات شهید سلیمانی‎),[5] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched numerous ballistic missiles at the Ayn al-Asad airbase in Al Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, as well as another airbase in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, in response to the killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani by a United States drone strike.[6][7][8] While the U.S. initially assessed that none of its service members were injured or killed in the attack,[9][10] the U.S. Department of Defense ultimately said that 109 service members had been diagnosed and treated for traumatic brain injuries from the attack.[11]

Iran informed the Iraqi government before the attack[12] and the information was reportedly passed to the U.S. military. Some analysts suggested the strike was deliberately designed to avoid causing any fatalities to avoid an American response.[13][14] However, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack was intended to kill.[15]

Background[]

Main article: 2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike

In the lead up to the attacks, Iranian officials had said Iran would retaliate against U.S. forces for the assassination of general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad on 3 January 2020.[16] U.S. president Donald Trump warned that any retaliation would result in targeting 52 significant Iranian sites, including cultural ones.[17] Reportedly, following the Baghdad strike, U.S. intelligence agencies detected Iran's heightened readiness but it was unclear at the time if they were defensive measures or an indication of a future attack on U.S. forces.[18]

On 3 December 2019, an Iraqi military statement said five rockets had landed on the Ayn al-Asad airbase, with no injuries.[19] Later, a "security source" inside Ayn al-Asad airbase and a "local official at a nearby town" told Reuters that reports the airbase was under attack at that time were false.[20] These reports on Twitter temporarily caused a rally of U.S. and Brent crude oil futures.[20]

On 4 January 2020, two rockets hit the Balad Air Base located near Baghdad.[21][22] Two mortars also hit Baghdad's Green Zone.[22] These attacks resulted in no casualties or damage.[21]

On 8 January, shortly after midnight, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi reportedly received a message from Iran indicating that the response to General Soleimani's death had "started or was about to start". Exact locations were not disclosed, but U.S. officials confirm their troops had adequate warning to shelter from the attack.[12][23]

Attacks[]

President Trump Meets with Senior White House Advisors (49351678458)

U.S. president Donald Trump and senior advisors meet in the White House Situation Room to assess the missile attacks, 7 January 2020 (EST)

According to the state-run Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Iran launched "tens of ground-to-ground missiles" at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops.[5] ISNA added that the code used to launch the missiles was "Oh Zahra".[5][24] The attacks unfolded in two waves, each about an hour apart;[25] Fars News Agency subsequently released video of the missile launches.[26][27] The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack and announced that it was carried out in response to the killing of Soleimani. The IRGC said the strikes came at roughly the same time Soleimani died[28] and added that if the U.S. retaliated, they would respond in kind. It also declared that the attack was intended as a warning that applied to any regional actor that provides basing for U.S. military personnel.[8] Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran symbolically targeted the bases, alleging they were the bases used to launch the aircraft that assisted in the killing of Soleimani.[29]

Although the Pentagon disputed the number launched, it confirmed that both the Ayn Al Asad airbase and an airbase in Erbil were hit by Iranian missiles.[30][31] A spokesman for United States Central Command said fifteen missiles were fired; ten hit the Ayn Al Asad airbase, one hit the Erbil base, and four failed to reach their targets.[25] U.S. defense secretary Mark Esper later gave a similar estimate, saying 16 short-range missiles had been launched from three locations within Iran, with 11 striking Ayn al-Asad (instead of the prior estimate of 10).[32] Other sources confirmed that two targeted Erbil: one hit Erbil International Airport and did not explode, the other landed about 20 miles west of Erbil.[33]

According to the Iraqi military, 22 missiles were fired between 1:45 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. local, 17 toward Ayn Al Asad base and five at Erbil.[34][35] According to U.S. troops at Al Asad, the first missiles landed at 1:34 a.m. and were followed by three more volleys, spaced out by more than 15 minutes each. The attack was over by 4:00 a.m.[36]

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the IRGC used Fateh-313 and Qiam ballistic missiles in the attack and claimed that U.S. forces failed to intercept them because they were equipped with cluster warheads.[37] Fox News reported that due to the lack of a missile defense system at the bases, no missiles were shot down.[38]

Damage[]

The U.S. military initially assessed that there were no U.S. casualties,[25] which was later echoed by the president.[39][40] Senior Iraqi officials said there were no Iraqi casualties.[10] Among the coalition forces present on the two bases, Australia,[41] Canada,[42] Denmark,[43] Finland,[44] Lithuania,[44] Norway,[24] and Poland[45] confirmed that their personnel were unharmed. Iranian television said there were 80 U.S. deaths as well as damage to U.S. helicopters and "military equipment".[46] OPEC's secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo on conference in Abu Dhabi announced that Iraqi oil facilities were secure.[35]

Al Asad Airbase damage following IRGC missile attack

Aftermath of the missile attacks on Al Asad Airbase, 13 January 2020

President Trump stated that the damage sustained was minimal.[39][40] According to The Military Times, a U.S. commando said Al Asad Airbase suffered the brunt of the missile barrage.[47] Satellite photos provided by Planet Labs showed extensive damage to the Al Asad base, with at least five structures damaged in the attack, showing that the missiles were precise enough to hit individual buildings. David Schmerler, an analyst with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, which evaluated the photos, said the attacks seem to have hit buildings that store aircraft, while buildings used for housing staff were not hit.[48] The U.S. defense secretary said the damage was limited to "tentage, taxiways, the parking lot, damaged helicopter, things like that, nothing I would describe as major".[32] Two defense officials told Newsweek that 18 missiles, which used on-board guidance systems, landed in Al Asad airbase, three of them on the runway, while another hit and damaged an air control tower. One Black Hawk helicopter was destroyed, ten tents were "destroyed", and an MQ-1 Predator drone was claimed to have been damaged,[49] although Al Asad hosts only U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reapers and Army MQ-1C Gray Eagles.[50] (MQ-1 Predators were phased out from USAF service in March 2018.)[51] Damaged structures also reportedly included a special forces compound, and two hangars, in addition to the U.S. drone operators' housing unit.[36] Some soldiers lamented losing all their personal belongings—clothes, books, pictures of their families and mementos they had carried through more than a decade in the military.[52]

U.S. soldiers stationed at Ayn Al Asad later confirmed that they had received advanced warning of the missile attack via secret intelligence signals—before the Iraqis notified them—and that by 11:00 p.m. (local), several hours before the first missiles landed, most of the American section of the base was in lockdown while other troops had been flown out. Only essential personnel such as tower guards and drone pilots remained unsheltered as they were protecting against a ground assault which base commanders expected would follow the missile attack. The base did not have structures in place to defend against a missile attack of the kind launched by the IRGC, with many taking cover in concrete indirect fire bunkers and pyramid-like shelters that were built during the Iran–Iraq War. Troops re-emerged from their shelters at the break of dawn.[36]

Several European and U.S. government officials believed that Iran deliberately avoided inflicting fatalities in their operation in order to send a message of resolve to avenge Soleimani without provoking a substantial military response.[53][54][55] However, Pentagon officials said they believed the missiles were intended to kill Americans.[32] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley believed the missiles were intended to cause structural damage, to destroy vehicles, equipment, and aircraft, and to kill personnel, adding that defensive measures by U.S. troops and early warning systems were what prevented personnel from being killed.[32] According to the Center For Strategic & International Studies, the Space-based Infrared System (SBIRS) warned troops to prepare for incoming attacks, although the Pentagon did not confirm the presence of any missile defense systems at either Ayn Al Asad airbase or the base near Erbil.[56] Lieutenant Colonel Tim Garland, a U.S. commander at Al Asad base, said the missile volleys were timed in such a way as to trick soldiers into thinking the bombing was over.[57] Iranian aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the intention was not to kill any American troops but that they could have planned the operation to do so and claimed that Iran launched cyber attacks that disabled U.S. missile tracking systems during the strikes.[58] He added that driving out U.S. forces from the region was the only fitting revenge for the killing of General Soleimani.[58]

Injuries[]

Colonel Garland said two soldiers who had been in guard towers at Ayn Al Asad airbase were blown from their posts during the missile attacks, suffering concussions.[52] On 16 January, over a week after the attack, several U.S. defense officials confirmed that "out of an abundance of caution" eleven U.S. troops were medically evacuated to military hospitals—three to Camp Arifjan in Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait and eight to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany—to be treated for traumatic brain injury and to undergo further evaluations. The first service member was flown out of Iraq on 10 January, while others were evacuated on 15 January.[59] According to a senior defense official, "About a week after the attack some service members were still experiencing some symptoms of concussion," adding that "We only got wind of this in the last 24 hours." Another official said that it was standard procedure for all personnel in the vicinity of a blast to be screened for TBI.[60]

The injury reports raised questions about initial U.S. assessments that there were no casualties and ignited debate over the Pentagon's longstanding treatment of brain injuries as a different class of wounds that, it says, do not require them to be regarded as "casualties". The Pentagon sharply denied that it attempted to underplay injuries from the attack, with a spokesman saying that the secretary of defense himself only learned of the MEDEVACs a few hours before the general public did, and that brain injuries often take time to manifest and diagnose.[9][59]

In contrast to the U.S. reports, Al-Qabas, a Kuwaiti newspaper, claimed on 18 January that 16, not 11, U.S. service members were transferred to Camp Arifjan, some of whom were treated for severe burns and shrapnel wounds as well as TBI.[61][62]

On 24 January a Pentagon spokesman said that 34 service members had traumatic brain injuries from the attack. 18 of them were evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and eight of those were subsequently sent to the U.S. for treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.[63] Another was evacuated to Kuwait. 16 service members were treated in Iraq and had returned to duty.[64]

On 28 January, according to several Pentagon officials, around "200 people who were in the blast zone at the time of the attack have been screened for symptoms." As a result, "50 U.S. service members have been diagnosed with TBI." It was said that the number of diagnosed may change,[65][66] as the new information was that 31 of them had been treated in Iraq, while 18 (up from the previous figure of 17) were treated in Germany.[65]

By 22 February, the official count of troops injured had risen to 110.[11] The Pentagon said that all were diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and 77 had already returned to duty.[11]

Aftermath[]

While damage assessments were still underway, Iranian state media claimed the attacks caused more than 80 deaths.[67] Later, a hoax Pentagon memo claiming one hundred thirty-nine American troops were killed was spread on social media.[68] Mike Pregent, a former U.S. intelligence officer, attributed the forged memo to an IRGC disinformation attempt.[68]

U.S. response[]

Shortly after the attacks, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operators from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, and the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.[69][70] Singapore Airlines and Qantas Airlines diverted their flights from Iran airspace following the attacks.[71]

President Trump addresses the nation, White House, 8 January 2020

In his first public comments on the attack, at 8:45 pm EST on 7 January, President Donald Trump tweeted "All is well!", said that damage assessments were ongoing, and added that he would make a statement on the attack the following morning.[6][72] In his televised White House statement, while being flanked by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump sought to reduce tensions by downplaying the impact of the missile attacks, observing that Iran appeared to be "standing down", and ruling out a direct military response. Furthermore, Trump said he was willing to "embrace peace" and urged greater international cooperation in the region, suggesting it is possible for Iran and the U.S. to fight against a common enemy such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. However, there were no suggestions that his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign would relent, with his announcement of new sanctions on Iran and affirmation that they would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons while he was in office.[39][40]

In a letter to the United Nations, the U.S. wrote that it is braced to take further necessary action in the Middle East to ensure safety of U.S. personnel, and it is also ready to "engage in serious negotiations with Iran without preconditions" to avert war.[73]

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin announces sanctions on Iran's metal industries, 10 January 2020

On 10 January, the Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions on Iran that targeted the country's metals industry, including the construction, manufacturing, textiles and mining economic sectors. U.S. treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin noted that the sanctions on metals and other industries would be both primary and secondary sanctions that allows the U.S. to designate other sectors in the future. Additionally, the U.S. announced 17 specific sanctions against Iran's largest copper, steel, aluminum, and iron manufacturers, a network of Chinese and Seychelles-based entities, and a vessel involved in the transfer of metal products. The administration also sanctioned eight senior Iranian officials who were involved in the missile attacks, including the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani Araghi, and IRGC senior officer Gholamreza Soleimani.[74][75]

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crash[]

Main article: Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

Hours following the initial missile attacks on Iraq, and after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced the NOTAM for the region, a Boeing 737-800 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, killing all 176 passengers on board, including at least 130 Iranians. Iranian officials initially said the plane crashed due to technical failures unrelated to the missile attacks. However, they drew skepticism when they refused to allow Boeing or U.S. aviation officials access to the black boxes.[76]

On 11 January, after The New York Times obtained and published video showing the moment the aircraft was hit by an Iranian missile,[77] Iran admitted to having shot down the plane due to human error, claiming their military mistook the plane for a "hostile target".[78] A wave of anti-government protests emerged across Iran in response to the perceived cover-up, with some demanding the Ayatollah to resign. U.S. President Trump tweeted support for the protesters in English and in Farsi.[79] British ambassador to Iran Robert Macaire was arrested and held in custody for more than an hour after attending a gathering at Tehran's Amirkabir University of Technology. According to Tasnim News Agency, he was arrested for "suspicion of organising, provoking and directing radical actions". UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab called the ambassador's arrest "a flagrant violation of international law".[80]

Reactions[]

On 8 January, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, said military actions are not enough and that the "corruptive presence" of the U.S. in the Middle East must be ended.[81] Khamenei also described the attacks as a "slap in the face" to the U.S.[82] Khamenei later reiterated this during a Friday sermon on 17 January, describing the attack as showing that "Iran has the power to give such a slap to a world power shows the hand of God".[83]

After the attack, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif tweeted "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."[6][84][85]

Global reactions[]

European Union leaders urged Trump, both in public and in private, not to give a military response.[86] British prime minister Boris Johnson denounced the missile attacks on U.S. forces, urging Iran to avoid further "reckless and dangerous" strikes.[87] In the U.S., both Democratic and Republican members of the Senate advised the Trump administration to deescalate its stance with Iran. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said, "I believe the President wants to avoid conflict or needless loss of life but he's rightly prepared to protect American lives and interests and I hope Iran's leaders do not miscalculate by questioning our collective will in launching further attacks."[88]

On the evening of 8 January, Reuters reported that three Katyusha rockets were launched in Baghdad by unidentified militants, hitting the Green Zone.[89][90] Shortly after Trump's announcement regarding the 8 January attack, influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr urged his followers not to conduct any attacks against U.S. elements in Iraq.[91] Sayyid Ali al-Sistani also called for ceasefire on both sides, saying the conflict violated Iraqi sovereignty.[92] However, on 12 January, at least four Iraqi soldiers were injured after seven mortars attacked an airbase in Baghdad that housed U.S. trainers.[93]

Saudi Arabia's deputy defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the kingdom would stand with Iraq and do everything in its power to spare it from the "danger of war and conflict between external parties".[94]

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during the inauguration of the TurkStream gas pipeline alongside Russian president Vladimir Putin, that "no one has the right to throw the whole region, especially Iraq, into a new ring of fire for the sake of their own interests." He added "the tension between our ally U.S.A. and our neighbor Iran has reached a point that we do not desire at all," while promoting Turkey's diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis.[95]

Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Tehran to discuss the crisis with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. The Qatari leader said de-escalation and dialogue were the only means to resolve the crisis and maintain peace.[96] Sheikh Tamim was the first national leader to visit Iran following the death of General Soleimani.[97]

References[]

  1. ↑ "IRGC Aerospace Commander: Wednesday Missile Strikes Mark Start of Major Operations Across Region". 9 January 2020. https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13981019000659. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Roblin, Sebastian (11 January 2020). "Meet the Qiam Missile Iran Used to Blast a U.S. Airbase". The National Interest. The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/meet-qiam-missile-iran-used-blast-us-airbase-112911. Retrieved 27 February 2020. 
  3. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (2020-01-08). "Did Iran Intentionally Avoid Killing U.S. Soldiers in Last Night's Missile Attack?" (in en-US). https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a30444584/iran-missile-attack/. 
  4. ↑ Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 109: Pentagon ABS News, 22 February 2020
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Martinez, Luis; McLaughlin, Elizabeth (7 January 2020). "Iran launches missiles into US air bases in Iraq: US official" (in en). https://abcnews.go.com/International/iran-launches-missiles-us-air-bases-iraq-us/story?id=68130625. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Singh, Maanvi; Greve, Joan; Doherty, Ben; Butler, Ben; Perraudin, Frances; Safi, Michael; Borger, Julian (8 January 2020). "Iran launches missiles at US forces in Iraq at al-Asad and Erbil—live updates" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/07/trump-news-today-live-impeachment-articles-iran-latest-updates-democrats. 
  7. ↑ Eqbali, Aresu; Malsin, Jared; Leary, Alex (7 January 2020). "Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Forces in Iraq". Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/stampede-at-funeral-procession-for-iranian-commander-kills-35-11578390888. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Iran Fires Missiles at Two U.S. Bases in Iraq: Live Updates" (in en-US). The New York Times. 8 January 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/world/middleeast/trump-iran.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "US troops were injured in Iran missile attack despite Pentagon initially saying there were no casualties". January 16, 2019. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/service-members-injured-iran-strike/index.html. Retrieved January 16, 2019. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Rubin, Alissa J.; Fassihi, Farnaz; Schmitt, Eric; Yee, Vivian (7 January 2020). "Iran Fires on U.S. Forces at 2 Bases in Iraq, Calling It 'Fierce Revenge'" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/world/middleeast/iran-fires-missiles-us.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 109: Pentagon" (in en). 2020-02-22. https://www.france24.com/en/20200222-number-of-us-troops-wounded-in-iran-attack-now-at-109-pentagon. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Aboulenein, Ahmed (8 January 2020). "Iraqi PM received word from Iran about missile attack" (in en). https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-government/iraqi-pm-received-word-from-iran-about-missile-attack-idUSKBN1Z71FX. Retrieved 8 January 2020. 
  13. ↑ Baker, Peter (8 January 2020). "Trump Backs Away From Further Military Conflict With Iran" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/world/middleeast/trump-speech.html. 
  14. ↑ Safi, Michael (8 January 2020). "Iran's assault on US bases in Iraq might satisfy both sides". https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/08/irans-assault-on-us-bases-in-iraq-might-satisfy-both-sides. 
  15. ↑ "Hours of forewarning saved U.S., Iraqi lives from Iran's missile attack" (in en-US). 13 January 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-early-warning/hours-of-forewarning-saved-us-iraqi-lives-from-irans-missile-attack-idUSKBN1ZC218. 
  16. ↑ Sly, Liz (4 January 2020). "Iran has vowed revenge against the U.S. But it seems to be in no hurry.". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-has-vowed-revenge-against-the-us-but-it-seems-to-be-in-no-hurry/2020/01/04/150283e8-2e62-11ea-bffe-020c88b3f120_story.html. 
  17. ↑ Smith, David (6 January 2020). "Trump defends 'war crime' threat to target cultural sites in Iran". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/06/suleimani-assassination-donald-trump-defends-threat-to-hit-cultural-sites-in-iran. 
  18. ↑ Tenbarge, Kat (5 January 2020). "U.S intelligence detected Iranian ballistic missiles at a heightened state of readiness following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani". Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/readied-iran-ballistic-missiles-were-detected-prompting-trump-tweet-2020-1. Retrieved 6 January 2020. 
  19. ↑ Rasheed, Ahmed; Hassan, Samar (3 December 2019). "Rockets hit base hosting U.S. forces in western Iraq". Cairo. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-missiles-security-idUSKBN1Y7284. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Ayash, Kamal; Aboulenein, Ahmed (3 January 2020). "Reports of attacks on U.S. military base in Iraq are false: two sources". In Nomiyama, Chizu. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-blast-brent-idUSKBN1Z220B. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Sisk, Richard (4 January 2020). "Rocket Attacks Hit Baghdad's Green Zone, Balad Air Base: Iraqi Military". https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/01/04/rocket-attacks-hit-baghdads-green-zone-balad-air-base-iraqi-military.html. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Baibhawi, Riya (8 January 2020). "Iraq's speaker calls Iranian attack 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty'". https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/global-event-news/iraqs-speaker-calls-iranian-attack-violation-of-iraqi-sovereignty. 
  23. ↑ "Iran attacks bases housing US troops". CNN. 8 January 2020. https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/us-iran-soleimani-tensions-intl-01-07-20/index.html. Retrieved 9 January 2020. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Karimi, Nasser; Vahdat, Amir; Gambrell, Jon (7 January 2020). "Iran warns US not retaliate over missile attack in Iraq". https://apnews.com/add7a702258b4419d796aa5f48e577fc. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Miles, Frank (7 January 2020). "Iran launches 15 ballistic missiles into Iraq targeting US, coalition forces, officials say" (in en-US). https://www.foxnews.com/world/missile-attacks-target-us-forces-in-iraq-senior-military-source-says-iran-suspected. 
  26. ↑ Agency, Source: Fars News (8 January 2020). "Iran releases footage of missile attack on US airbases in Iraq—video" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2020/jan/08/iran-releases-footage-of-missile-attack-on-us-airbases-in-iraq-video. 
  27. ↑ "Iran launches missile attack against US forces inside Iraq in 'revenge' for Qassem Soleimani assassination" (in en-AU). 8 January 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-08/iran-launches-missiles-at-iraqi-air-base-housing-us-troops/11851500. 
  28. ↑ Kube, Courtney; Madani, Doha (7 January 2020). "Iran retaliates for Gen. Soleimani's killing by firing missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq". https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-base-iraq-comes-under-attack-missiles-iran-claims-n1112171. 
  29. ↑ "Iran fires missiles at US targets in Iraq: All the latest updates". https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-fires-rockets-forces-iraq-latest-updates-200107235228432.html. 
  30. ↑ Borger, Julian; Wintour, Patrick (8 January 2020). "Iran crisis: missiles launched against US airbases in Iraq". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/07/trump-iran-suleimani-threats-retaliation. 
  31. ↑ Alkhshali, Hamdi; Browne, Ryan; Starr, Barbara; Qiblawi, Tamara; Gaouette, Nicole. "Pentagon says Iran attacked two Iraqi bases housing US forces". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/politics/rockets-us-airbase-iraq/index.html. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Rambaran, Vandana (8 January 2020). "Iran's missiles intended to 'kill personnel' in Iraq, Pentagon says". Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-missile-attack-iraq-intended-kill-pentagon. 
  33. ↑ Alkhshali, Hamdi (7 January 2020). "Two ballistic missiles hit Erbil, sources say" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/us-iran-soleimani-tensions-intl-01-07-20/h_c633b7ccb8e78db079f9e3079f989870. 
  34. ↑ Trew, Bel; Buncombe, Andrew (8 January 2020). "Iran missile strike: Two US–Iraq bases hit by 22 projectiles, officials say, as crisis escalates". https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-rocket-attack-iraq-missiles-us-bases-trump-soleimani-a9274546.html. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Iran fires missiles at US targets in Iraq: All the latest updates". 8 January 2020. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-fires-rockets-forces-iraq-latest-updates-200107235228432.html. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 "US troops sheltered in Saddam-era bunkers during Iran missile attack". CNN. 13 January 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/middleeast/iran-strike-al-asad-base-iraq-exclusive-intl/index.html. Retrieved 14 January 2020. 
  37. ↑ "Iran missile attack: Did Tehran intentionally avoid US casualties?". BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51042156. 
  38. ↑ Betz, Bradford (2020-01-22). "US 'likely' to deploy anti-missile system to protect American troops in Iraq" (in en-US). https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-deploy-anti-missile-system-protect-american-troops-iraq. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 "Trump: New sanctions on Iran but U.S. "ready to embrace peace"". 9 January 2020. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-fires-missiles-at-military-bases-iraq-used-by-us-coalition-troops-today-live-updates-2020-01-08/. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 "Live updates: Trump says Iranian strike caused no American or Iraqi deaths; new sanctions on Iran will be imposed". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-live-updates/2020/01/08/c835c218-31a0-11ea-9313-6cba89b1b9fb_story.html. 
  41. ↑ Bolger, Rosemary. "No Australian troops, staff hurt in Iran missile attacks on US airbases in Iraq" (in en). https://www.sbs.com.au/news/no-australian-troops-staff-hurt-in-iran-missile-attacks-on-us-airbases-in-iraq. 
  42. ↑ Stephenson, Mercedes; Armstrong, James (8 January 2020). "Canadian military personnel in Iraq safe after base targeted in Iran missile strikes". Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/6379854/canadian-military-evacuating-canadians-americans-iraq-iran-strikes/. 
  43. ↑ Prakash, Thomas; Olsen, Theis Lange (8 January 2020). "Militærbase med danske soldater ramt af iranske missiler—meldes i god behold" (in da). DR. https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/militaerbase-med-danske-soldater-ramt-af-iranske-missiler-meldes-i-god-behold. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Chappell, Bill (8 January 2020). "What We Know: Iran's Missile Strike Against The U.S. In Iraq". NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/794501068/what-we-know-irans-missile-strike-against-the-u-s-in-iraq. 
  45. ↑ Charlish, Alan (8 January 2020). "No Polish troops in Iraq hurt in Iranian missile attacks: minister". In Heavens, Louise. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-poland/no-polish-troops-in-iraq-hurt-in-iranian-missile-attacks-minister-idUSKBN1Z70UD. 
  46. ↑ "'We slapped them on the face': Ayatollah tells Iranians". 8 January 2020. https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/iran-missile-attacks-strike-us-forces-in-iraq-trump-says-all-is-well-20200108-p53pwp.html. 
  47. ↑ "No US casualties in Iran missile strike, preliminary reports say". 8 January 2020. https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/08/no-us-casualties-in-iran-missile-strike-preliminary-reports-say. 
  48. ↑ "Satellite Photos Reveal Extent Of Damage From Iranian Strike On Air Base In Iraq". 8 January 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/794517031/satellite-photos-reveal-extent-of-damage-at-al-assad-air-base. 
  49. ↑ LaPorta, James (8 January 2020). "Military aircraft, runway among damage at Iraqi base struck by Iran missiles" (in en). https://www.newsweek.com/military-aircraft-runway-among-damage-iraqi-base-struck-iran-missiles-1481129. 
  50. ↑ "The Soleimani killing and 5 things to know about drones in Iraq" (in en-US). 2020-01-07. https://thebulletin.org/2020/01/soleimani-and-beyond-5-ways-that-drones-have-destabilized-iraq/. 
  51. ↑ Donald, David. "U.S. Air Force Ends Predator Operations" (in en). https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-03-13/us-air-force-ends-predator-operations. 
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 'Surviving was a miracle': Iran's missile attack on Iraq base, Maya Gebeily, Agence France-Presse/SpaceDaily, 2020-01-13
  53. ↑ Holmes, Michael Safi Oliver (8 January 2020). "Iran launches missiles at Iraq airbases hosting US and coalition troops". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/08/suleimani-assassination-two-us-airbases-in-iraq-hit-by-missiles-in-retaliation. 
  54. ↑ "Iran believed to have deliberately missed U.S. forces in Iraq strikes: sources". 8 January 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-targets/iran-believed-to-have-deliberately-missed-u-s-forces-in-iraq-strikes-sources-idUSKBN1Z7283. 
  55. ↑ Atwood, Kylie; Brown, Pamela; Collins, Kaitlan; Sciutto, Jim (8 January 2020). "Some administration officials believe Iran intentionally missed areas with Americans". https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/08/politics/trump-iran-retaliation-missile-attacks/index.html. 
  56. ↑ "When Iran Attacks" (in en). https://www.csis.org/analysis/when-iran-attacks. 
  57. ↑ "'Surviving was a miracle': Iran's missile attack on Iraq base". 14 January 2020. https://www.france24.com/en/20200114-surviving-was-a-miracle-iran-s-missile-attack-on-iraq-base. 
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "Iran crisis: Commander says more air strikes were planned against US". BBC News. 9 January 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51051826. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Pentagon denies trying to underplay injuries from Iran attack". Reuters. 17 January 2020. http://news.trust.org/item/20200117170342-xr08c. Retrieved 18 January 2020. 
  60. ↑ Baron, Kevin (16 January 2020). "Eleven US Troops Were Injured in Jan. 8 Iran Missile Strike". https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/01/eleven-us-troops-were-injured-jan-8-iran-missile-strike/162502/. 
  61. ↑ "16 US soldiers flown to Kuwait hospital after Iran strike". 20 January 2020. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200120-16-us-soldiers-flown-to-kuwait-hospital-after-iran-strike/. 
  62. ↑ مراح, محمد (18 January 2020). "بعض الجنود الأميركيين المصابين في هجوم إيران.. تلقوا العلاج في الكويت" (in ar-KW). https://alqabas.com/article/5743615-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA. 
  63. ↑ "34 US service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after Iranian missile strike". CNN. January 24, 2020. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/24/politics/34-injuries-iran-missile-strike/index.html. 
  64. ↑ Cooper, Helene (24 January 2020). "34 Troops Have Brain Injuries From Iranian Missile Strike, Pentagon Says". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-troops-brain-injuries.html. 
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 Starr, Barbara (2020-01-28). "First on CNN: 50 US service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after Iranian missile strike". https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/politics/50-injuries-iran-strike/index.html. 
  66. ↑ BUDRYK, ZACK. "Number of US troops injured in Iran missile strikes rises to 50". https://thehill.com/policy/defense/480396-number-of-us-troops-injured-in-iran-missile-strikes-rises-to-50. Retrieved 28 January 2020. 
  67. ↑ "Iran claims 80 American troops killed in missile barrage; US says no casualties" (in en-US). 8 January 2020. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-state-media-claims-more-than-80-us-soldiers-killed-in-missile-barrage/. 
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Read, Russ (2020-01-16). "Fake Pentagon letter saying US troops died in airstrike is Iranian propaganda, analysts say" (in en). https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/fake-pentagon-letter-saying-us-troops-died-in-airstrike-is-iranian-propaganda-analysts-say. 
  69. ↑ "US bans airlines from flying over Iraq and Iran after attacks on military". 8 January 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/07/faa-ban-iran-iraq-us-airlines. 
  70. ↑ FAANews (7 January 2020). "#FAA Statement: #NOTAMs issued outlining flight restrictions that prohibit U.S. civil aviation operators from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, and the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.pic.twitter.com/kJEbpPddp3" (in en). https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1214726433492393984. 
  71. ↑ Park, Kyunghee (8 January 2020). "Singapore Air Diverts Flights From Iran Airspace After Attacks". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-08/singapore-air-diverts-flights-from-iran-airspace-after-attacks. 
  72. ↑ realDonaldTrump (7 January 2020). "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." (in en). https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1214739853025394693. 
  73. ↑ Mehta, Dhwani (9 January 2020). "US: Stand ready to engage in serious negotiations with Iran" (in en). https://www.fxstreet.com/news/us-stand-ready-to-engage-in-serious-negotiations-with-iran-202001090327. 
  74. ↑ "US imposes new sanctions on Iran". CNN. 10 January 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/politics/us-sanctions-iran-mnuchin/index.html. 
  75. ↑ "Treasury Targets Iran's Billion Dollar Metals Industry and Senior Regime Officials". Treasury.gov. 10 January 2020. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm870. 
  76. ↑ Brook, Tom Vanden; Woodyard, Chris; Bacon, John (9 January 2020). "Iran plane crash: U.S., Canada say intel shows Ukraine jet downed by Iranian missile". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/01/09/ukraine-plane-likely-shot-down-iran-missile-report/4419263002/. 
  77. ↑ Triebert, Christiaan; Browne, Malachy; Kerr, Sarah; Tiefenthäler, Ainara (9 January 2020). "Video Shows Ukrainian Plane Being Hit Over Iran" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/video/iran-plane-missile.html. 
  78. ↑ Karimi, Nasser; Krauss, Joseph (11 January 2020). "Under pressure, Iran admits it shot down jetliner by mistake". Associated Press. https://apnews.com/21f4a92a2dfbc38581719664bdf6f38e. 
  79. ↑ "Trump tweets support of Iranian anti-government protesters after Ukrainian passenger plane shot down". Fox News. 11 January 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-support-iran-protesters-ukrainian-airplane. 
  80. ↑ "British ambassador arrested at Tehran demonstration". The Guardian. 11 January 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/11/british-ambassador-arrested-at-demonstration-in-tehran-reports. 
  81. ↑ "Iran attack: US troops targeted with ballistic missiles". 8 January 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51028954. 
  82. ↑ Turak, Natasha (8 January 2020). "Iran supreme leader says missile attack was a 'slap on the face' for US but it was 'not enough'". https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/08/iran-supreme-leader-says-missile-attack-was-a-slap-in-the-face-for-us.html. 
  83. ↑ "Khamenei: Iran Gave U.S. 'Slap on Face', Calls Missile Strikes 'Day of God'". https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/01/17/world/middleeast/17reuters-iran-khamenei-usa-slap.html. Retrieved 17 January 2020. 
  84. ↑ "Iran does not seek escalation or war, but will defend itself—foreign minister tweets" (in en). 7 January 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/iraq-security-iran-zarif/iran-does-not-seek-escalation-or-war-but-will-defend-itself-foreign-minister-tweets-idUSL1N29D050. 
  85. ↑ JZarif (7 January 2020). "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." (in en). https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1214736614217469953. 
  86. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (8 January 2020). "EU leaders plead with Trump not to respond to Iranian attacks". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/08/eu-leaders-plead-with-trump-not-to-respond-to-iranian-attacks. 
  87. ↑ "British PM condemns Iranian missile attack; Iranian President pledges US forces will be ejected". 8 January 2020. https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/british-pm-condemns-iranian-missile-attack-iranian-president-pledges-us-forces-wil-be-ejected-974274.html. 
  88. ↑ Carney, Jordain (8 January 2020). "GOP senators call on Trump to de-escalate tensions with Iran". The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/477301-gop-senators-call-on-trump-to-deescalate-tensions-with-iran. 
  89. ↑ "Two rockets reportedly hit Baghdad's Green Zone" (in en). 8 January 2020. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/two-rockets-reportedly-hit-baghdads-green-zone-security-sources. 
  90. ↑ Aboulenein, Ahmed (8 January 2020). "Three Katyusha rockets fall inside Baghdad's Green Zone: police sources". In Reese, Chris (in en). https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-rockets-idUSKBN1Z72V7. 
  91. ↑ Rothwell, James; Sanchez, Raf; White, Josh (8 January 2020). "Top Iranian cleric urges supporters not to attack US as Donald Trump says regime has backed down—latest news". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/08/iran-launches-missile-attack-us-bases-iraq-latest-news/. 
  92. ↑ Kullab, Samya; Abdul-Zahra, Qassim (10 January 2020). "U.S. rejects Iraq's request to begin work on an American troop withdrawal plan". The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-iraqi-pm-asks-us-to-begin-work-on-a-troop-withdrawal-plan/. 
  93. ↑ "Four Iraq troops injured in rocket attack on air base housing US personnel" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/four-iraq-troops-injured-in-rocket-attack-air-base-housing-us-personnel. 
  94. ↑ "Saudi Arabia will do everything to spare Iraq the danger of war: vice minister". https://nonperele.com/saudi-arabia-will-do-everything-to-spare-iraq-the-danger-of-war-vice-minister/. Retrieved 8 January 2020. 
  95. ↑ "Turkey says won't allow a fresh ring of fire in ME amid US–Iran tension" (in en). http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-says-wont-allow-a-fresh-ring-of-fire-in-me-amid-us-iran-tension-150726. Retrieved 8 January 2020. 
  96. ↑ "Qatar emir in Iran, calls for regional de-escalation at 'sensitive' time". 12 January 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-qatar-iran/qatar-emir-in-iran-calls-for-regional-de-escalation-at-sensitive-time-idUSKBN1ZB0D7. Retrieved 12 January 2020. 
  97. ↑ "Qatari emir in Iran: 'De-escalation' the only way forward". Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/qatar-emir-sheikh-tamim-visit-iran-talks-200112070120423.html. Retrieved 12 January 2020. 
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