In Erbil, Rudaw reporters on the scene said that two missiles were fired into Erbil, apparently aimed at the airport where US-led coalition forces are based. One fell 5km short of the airport and did not explode. The other one fell near Bardarash town, northwest of the city where nearly 20,000 newly-arrived refugees from Syria are being housed. That exploded but Rudaw’s reporters on the scene said there were no casualties.
“Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil,” the US-led global coalition against ISIS confirmed in a statement.
“We are working on initial battle damage assessments,” the coalition added, pledging to take “necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said the move was made under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which details the right to self-defence.
“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,” he tweeted. “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
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.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
“All is well!” tweeted US President Donald Trump about the attacks. “Assessment of casualties & damages takig place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by !"
Trump said he will make a statement Wednesday morning, Washington DC time.
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) January 8, 2020
Many Iranian officials are tweeting images of the national flag, mimicking Trump who tweeted the American flag after Iran’s Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad in a US drone strike on January 3.
At least four flights in and out of Erbil airport have been cancelled.
