U.S. defense official says missiles had been launched at the city from neighbouring Iran
As many as 12 missiles were fired Sunday toward the U.S. consulate in Iraq’s northern city of Irbil, Iraqi security officials said. A U.S. defense official said missiles had been launched at the city from neighbouring Iran.
The Iraqi security officials said there were no immediate report of casualties from the attack, which occurred shortly after midnight and caused material damage in the area. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The attack came several days after an Israeli strike near Damascus, Syria, killed two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Iran’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack Wednesday and vowed revenge.
A security statement said Irbil was targeted “with a number of missiles” early Sunday, adding that security forces were investigating the incident and would release more details later. In an interview with The Associated Press In December, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie said that while U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to a noncombat role, Iran and its proxies still want all American troops to leave the country. As a result, he said, that may trigger more attacks.’
More recently, Iranian proxies are believed responsible for an assassination attempt late last year on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.