Iran launches missiles at U.S. airbase in Iraq in retaliation for killing of commander

Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-08 11:28:05|Editor: huaxia
Video PlayerClose

BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran said Wednesday it has launched missile attack on the U.S. military base of al-Asad in Iraq's Anbar province following the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

"Tens of surface-to-surface missiles" were fired at the strategic airbase," said Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in a statement carried by Iranian state TV.

The IRGC attack comes after Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, was killed in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport on Friday.

In the statement, the IRGC called for a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying that it would not differentiate between the U.S. and Israel in retaliating the assassination of the Iranian national "hero."

"We in no way consider the Zionist regime (of Israel) to be separated from the criminal U.S. regime in these crimes," read the IRGC statement.

"We warn U.S. allies providing bases for the (American) terrorist army ... that any country serving as the origin of bellicose and aggressive attacks in any form against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be targeted," it said.

The IRGC warned the United States that "any new wicked act or more moves and aggressions (against Iran) will bring about more painful and crushing responses."

The IRGC further urged the American people to call for the return of U.S. forces from the region in order to prevent further losses and not to allow Washington put the lives of American troops at risk any more.

The Pentagon has confirmed Iran's launch of more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq.

"At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq," the Pentagon said in a statement.

These missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at al-Asad and Irbil, the statement added.

The bases have been on high alert due to indications that Iran planned to attack the U.S. forces and interests in the region, it noted.

The Pentagon also pointed out that it would take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.

KEY WORDS:
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001386874281
国产无码在线观看免费在线,37pao国产成视频,日韩一区二区视频在线,国产国产人免费人成免费视频麻豆
久久婷婷色综合2020 | 亚洲天天久久中文字幕精品 | 亚洲中文字幕一区在线播放 | 亚洲天堂视频在线观看不卡的 | 亚洲AV永久精品一区二区在线 | 日本视频精品一区二区三区 |