Missiles fired toward the US consulate in Iraq, no casualties reported

BAGHDAD – As many as 12 missiles had 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 neighboring Iran.

Officers in Iraq and the U.S. gave totally different accounts of harm. 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 data was nonetheless coming in, stated it was nonetheless not sure precisely what number of missiles had been fired and precisely the place they landed.

The Iraqi safety officers stated there have been no instant reviews of casualties from the assault, which occurred shortly after midnight and brought about materials harm within the space. They spoke on situation of anonymity in step with rules.

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One of many Iraqi officers stated the ballistic missiles had 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 an announcement.

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 flooring.

A safety assertion stated Irbil was focused “with quite a lot of missiles” early Sunday, including that safety forces had 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 battle on Ukraine.

The highest U.S. commander for the Center East has repeatedly warned in regards to the rising 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 position, Iran and its proxies nonetheless need all American troops to go away the nation. Consequently, he stated, that 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 steadily moved to an advisory position final 12 months. The troops will nonetheless present air assist and different navy assist for Iraq’s combat 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 prime Iranian basic. 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 just lately, Iranian proxies are believed liable 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 had been killed or injured within the assault.

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Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi tweeted: “The aggression which focused the expensive 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.”