It's claimed Iran DELIBERATELY botched attack for fear of...
Jan 10, 2020 0:43:44 GMT -5
Post by songbird on Jan 10, 2020 0:43:44 GMT -5
Pictures emerge of damage to US military base in Iraq as it's claimed Iran DELIBERATELY botched attack for fear of escalating conflict with Donald Trump
Iran fired 22 ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American troops early Wednesday local time
Strikes are not thought to have killed any US or Iraqi personnel, though extent of damage is being assessed
Intelligence sources claimed Iran deliberately avoided directly hitting two bases in Iraq to avoid escalation
Ayatollah said US was given a 'slap' but strikes alone are 'not enough' and called for troops to be kicked out
But foreign minister said 'proportionate' attack had 'concluded' and that Iran wanted no further escalation
By CHRIS PLEASANCE and CHRIS DYER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:32 EST, 8 January 2020 | UPDATED: 21:41 EST, 8 January 2020
Iran deliberately missed causing maximum damage to two US bases in Iraq, with most of its ballistic missiles failing to hit their target, intelligence sources claimed today.
Tehran launched what it promised would be a 'crushing revenge' strike against the US over the death of General Soleimani - but succeeded only in damaging two airbases in neighbouring Iraq.
Satellite images released today show only minor damage to the bases in Ain al-Asad in western Iraq and Erbil International airport in the north as Iran wanted to avoid escalating the conflict to all-out war, according to US and European government sources.
Images showed several missiles had either failed to explode on impact or else missed their targets. The remains of one rocket was found near the town of Duhok, some 70 miles from Erbil air base, which was the intended target.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired 22 ballistic missiles at the al-Asad airbase and Erbil in the early hours of Wednesday, but failed to kill a single US or Iraqi solider.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking on Iranian TV shortly after the missiles were launched, described the strikes as 'a slap' and said they 'are not sufficient [for revenge]' while vowing further action to kick US troops out of the region.
But foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the attack was now 'concluded', praising Iran's 'proportionate' response and adding: 'We do not seek escalation or war.'
It came as Iraqi Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, revealed today that Iran gave him a tip-off about last night's missile strikes, giving time for troops to scramble to bunkers.
He received a call from Tehran warning him an attack was imminent in retaliation for the US killing of its highest ranking general, his spokesman said.
Full story, pictures, video at link
Iran fired 22 ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American troops early Wednesday local time
Strikes are not thought to have killed any US or Iraqi personnel, though extent of damage is being assessed
Intelligence sources claimed Iran deliberately avoided directly hitting two bases in Iraq to avoid escalation
Ayatollah said US was given a 'slap' but strikes alone are 'not enough' and called for troops to be kicked out
But foreign minister said 'proportionate' attack had 'concluded' and that Iran wanted no further escalation
By CHRIS PLEASANCE and CHRIS DYER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:32 EST, 8 January 2020 | UPDATED: 21:41 EST, 8 January 2020
Iran deliberately missed causing maximum damage to two US bases in Iraq, with most of its ballistic missiles failing to hit their target, intelligence sources claimed today.
Tehran launched what it promised would be a 'crushing revenge' strike against the US over the death of General Soleimani - but succeeded only in damaging two airbases in neighbouring Iraq.
Satellite images released today show only minor damage to the bases in Ain al-Asad in western Iraq and Erbil International airport in the north as Iran wanted to avoid escalating the conflict to all-out war, according to US and European government sources.
Images showed several missiles had either failed to explode on impact or else missed their targets. The remains of one rocket was found near the town of Duhok, some 70 miles from Erbil air base, which was the intended target.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired 22 ballistic missiles at the al-Asad airbase and Erbil in the early hours of Wednesday, but failed to kill a single US or Iraqi solider.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking on Iranian TV shortly after the missiles were launched, described the strikes as 'a slap' and said they 'are not sufficient [for revenge]' while vowing further action to kick US troops out of the region.
But foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the attack was now 'concluded', praising Iran's 'proportionate' response and adding: 'We do not seek escalation or war.'
It came as Iraqi Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, revealed today that Iran gave him a tip-off about last night's missile strikes, giving time for troops to scramble to bunkers.
He received a call from Tehran warning him an attack was imminent in retaliation for the US killing of its highest ranking general, his spokesman said.
Full story, pictures, video at link