They were close to the U.S. consulate. According to a U.S. defense official, missiles were launched from Iran into the city.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that there were no casualties or injuries and that the facility was unaffected. One of the missiles hit near the Kurdistan24 TV stations. Shortly after, the station went live and displayed broken glass and other debris on its studio floor.
At first, an Iraqi official in Baghdad stated that several missiles had struck the U.S. consulate. He claimed it was the victim of the attack. Lawk Ghafari (head of Kurdistan’s foreign media office) later stated that none of the missiles had hit the U.S. consulate, but that some areas surrounding the compound were hit.
According to The Associated Press, a U.S. defense official said that it is still unclear how many missiles were launched and where they landed.
AP was told by Iraqi security officials that there are no immediate reports of casualties in the attack. They stated that it occurred shortly after midnight and caused significant damage to the area. They spoke under anonymity to comply with regulations.
Unnamed Iraqi officials claimed that ballistic missiles were launched from Iran. Officials from the United States could not confirm which type of missile.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated that the attack was under investigation by the government in Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government. The official also said that the U.S. condemns the “outrageous attack on Iraqi sovereignty” and displayed violence.
This attack occurred several days after an Israeli strike in Syria’s Damascus killed two members from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The attack was strongly condemned by Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday, and they promised revenge.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iraqi media acknowledged the attack in Irbil on Sunday. However, it did not say where they came from.
Security officials stated that Irbil was attacked “with a lot of missiles” on Sunday morning. They also said that they were conducting an investigation into the incident and would provide more information later.
As negotiations in Vienna were over Tehran’s crumbling nuclear agreement came to a halt due to Russian demands for sanctions against Moscow over its war with Ukraine, the attack occurred.
The U.S. top commander for the Middle East warned repeatedly about the growing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias against troops and allies in Iraq, Syria and the Middle East.
In December, Marine General Frank McKenzie told The Associated Press that although U.S. forces have shifted to a non combat role in Iraq, Iran and its proxies still want all American soldiers to leave the country. He said that this could lead to more attacks.
In July, the Biden administration resolved to stop the U.S. combat missions in Iraq by December 31st. The U.S. forces then gradually transitioned to advisory status last year. They will continue to provide air support and other military assistance for Iraq’s fight against Islamic State.
Iran has been wary of the U.S. presence within Iraq for many years. However, tensions rose after a U.S. drone strike on January 2020 near Baghdad’s airport killed a senior Iranian general. Iran launched a barrage missile attack on the al-Asad base, where U.S. troops, in retaliation. The blasts resulted in more than 100 traumatic brain injuries for servicemen.
Recent events have shown that Iranian proxies were behind an attempted assassination of Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi late last year.
Officials have stated that Iran is believed to be behind the attack on the military outpost in south Syria, where American troops are based. The attack did not result in any deaths or injuries for U.S. personnel.
Al-Kadhimi tweeted, “The aggression that targeted the dear city Irbil and spread terror among its inhabitants is an attack upon the security of our citizens.”
Masrour Barzani was the prime minister in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. He condemned the attack. He posted on Facebook that he condemned the terrorist attack and said Irbil would not bow to cowards.
