According to the US media, the allied forces in Iraq have confirmed the injuries of the US soldiers by the attack from the Iranian missile. Iran had fired missiles on January 08, 2020, on the US bases in Iraq in retaliation of the US killing of its most revered general.
Earlier, US President and the Secretary of Defense had denied any injury following the attack, saying only installations were damaged.
CNN has quoted the military sources as saying the number of injured soldiers is eleven. The statement issued by the coalition forces also noted that many of the injured had been shifted to Germany. However, it said the soldiers would return to their duties following physical evaluation and recovery.
Iran had attacked US bases in Iraq in response to the assassination of its general by the US in a drone attack. However, Iran had specifically targeted two US bases to attack the American soldiers. The Islamic Republic had fired 16 missiles during this attack.
AFP has also quoted American Central Command’s spokesman as confirming the injuries of the US soldier in the attack. However, it has said there had been no casualty as a result of the attack.
According to the spokesman for the US Central Command, Bill Urban, many soldiers had sustained head injuries in the attack of the al-Asad base.
Related: A satire on Trump’s foreign policy
The spokesman also said that the 1500 soldiers of the allied forces had gone into the bunkers following the instructions from the high authorities.
It should be noted that the situation in the region had deteriorated to an unprecedented level following General Qassem’s killing. However, the restraint by both sides suggests de-escalation now.
Khamenei Will Lead Friday Prayer After 8 years
Here in Iran, the spiritual leader Ayatollah Khamenei will lead a Friday prayer in Tehran. It will be the first time in as many as eight years that Khamenei will give a Jumma address.
According to the Mehr news agency of Iran, it would be the first time since 2012 that the 80-year-old Khamenei would be leading a Jumma prayer in Mosalla Mosque. However, the news agency says it has nothing to do with the current regional situation.
But Mehdi Khalaji of the Washington Institute believes that the address of the Jumma prayer is symbolic. It is reserved for the critical times during which the top leadership has to convey some important message.
He said that historically the leaders delegate this task to their loyal religious leaders. It should also be noted that Iran is under pressure following the downing of the Ukrainian plane by the Iranian military.
Iran said that it was a “human error,” but there is a rage among the Iranian people, who are oppressed politically by their leaders, and economically by the global sanctions.
On Wednesday, President Rouhani had appealed for national unity. However, there is a seeming divide among Iranian leadership. It reflected from President’s demand from the military to provide details regarding the plane downing.
Initially, Iran had denied its role in crashing the Ukrainian plane, and it was only after three days on January 11 when it admitted to it.
