Source: Al-Manar, Hezbollah media
Translation: resistancenews.org
The Islamic Republic of Iran began its revenge for the assassination of the martyr Soleimani by launching dozens of ballistic missiles at the US base of Al-Asad in Iraq.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards announced that the process of revenge for the assassination of the martyr Soleimani had started with the launch of dozens of ballistic missiles against the American base at Al-Asad in Iraq. In a statement, they assert that “At dawn today, in response to the terrorist operation by American forces and in retaliation for the assassination and martyrdom of Quds Force Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, Qassem Soleimani, and his companions, the aerospace forces of the the Islamic Revolutionary Guards carried out a successful operation bearing the name of the martyr Soleimani by launching dozens of ground-to-ground ballistic missiles against the air base of Ain al-Assad occupied by the US terrorist army. We will later inform the noble Iranian people and all free men of the world of the details of this process.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards warned “The Great Satan, namely the US regime, that any wicked act, aggression or other hostile movement would face an even more painful and harsh response. […] We warn America’s allies who host US terrorist bases that any territory that is the source of hostile action against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be targeted.” The statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards added that “we do not in any way regard the Zionist entity as distinct from the criminal US regime.”
“We recommend that the American people recall their soldiers from the region to avoid further casualties and not to leave the lives of American soldiers threatened because of our peoples’ growing hatred of America,” the statement said.
Public relations within the Revolutionary Guards warned the United States that any response to the strikes “would light the fuse of a widespread and very painful response against the United States in the region.”
The Iranian agency Mehr reported that “dozens of missiles from the aerospace force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards targeted the base of Ain al-Assad”, and said that “the attack comes in reprisal for the assassination of the martyred commander Qassem Soleimani, and consisted in the launching of a certain number of ground-to-ground missiles”.
After the news was announced, the sounds of Takbir (Allahu Akbar!) rose from the top of the buildings of the capital, Tehran, expressing popular jubilation at this operation.
A security source told Agence France-Presse that on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, at least nine rockets landed at the Ein Al-Assad Air base in western Iraq, where American soldiers are stationed. The source said the attack took place in 3 stages.
Use of Fateh missiles in a process of severe revenge
Given the distance between the base of Ain al-Assad and the place from which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard missiles were launched, Fateh ballistic missiles were used in these strikes (range up to 500 kilometers).
U.S. forces and their advisers are stationed at Ain al-Assad Air Base, which is the second largest Air Base in Iraq, after Balad base in Salah al-Din, north of Baghdad. For years, American forces have been present at several Iraqi military and Air Bases in the provinces of Anbar, Salah-al-Din, Nineveh and the capital Baghdad.
Pentagon admits strikes
The Pentagon has announced that Iran fired “more than 12 missiles” at dawn on Wednesday at the Ain al-Assad and Erbil bases used by US forces in Iraq on Wednesday, indicating that it is in currently assessing the damage and studying ways to “respond” to this strike.
Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement that the department was conducting a “preliminary damage assessment” and was considering a “response” to the attack. He added that on Tuesday evening, “around 5.30pm (10.30pm GMT) on January 7, Iran fired more than 12 ballistic missiles at US and coalition forces in Iraq.” This time corresponds to the exact time martyr Soleimani was killed.
The statement added that it is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and were aimed at at least two Iraqi military bases used by American and coalition forces in Ain al-Assad and Erbil.
The White House, for its part, said that President Trump is monitoring the situation closely and holding consultations with the National Security Council to discuss developments. White House spokesperson Stéphanie Gresham said, “We are aware of reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The President has been informed and is following the situation closely and is consulting his national security team. ”
Oil prices go up and Nikkei goes down
The oil price per barrel jumped more than 4.5% on Wednesday after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two air bases used by US and coalition forces in Iraq. West Texas Intermediate barrel rose 4.53% to $ 65.54 before declining slightly.
The main Nikkei index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost more than 2.4% Wednesday morning. Half an hour after opening, the losses of the Nikkei index on the 225 largest companies listed on the Japanese Stock Exchange reached 2.44%, or 576.26 points, to fall to 22,999.46 points, while the losses of the Topix index, the most important, were slightly lower, reaching 2.20% or 37.90 points to reach 1687.15 points.
Sources: Al-Manar & Iranian sources.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
I’m guessing this is the end of Phase 1 where it will involve Tehran directly. Phase 2 will begin if the Americans fail to leave.
Phase one was a high profile show for internal consumption and purposely designed to avoid casualties or material losses (consider the masses on Iranian streets demanding action). Iran or USA neither really have any interest to escalate this.
Phase two, if it comes, will be the low intense reaction, which hurt US personal and assets, as the name suggests, in the long term, with low intensity and more indirect and “off-radar” manner. This depends on how and how fast the US and partners execute their withdrawal from Iraq.
What is a fact is that as time goes on, the US position, and basic premises for staying in Iraq is from questionable to non-existent and is becoming increasingly viewed as a mission to rob local oil and prevent peaceful unification and economic development among the Middle East nations. This is why it is coming to an end.
USA has internal problems to deal with, in the medium term it will need to reinvent itself without an Empire.
Exactly this. I’m hearing 80 dead, doubt if any are Americans. Biggest news of the day for me is announcement of Turkstream. The multipolar world marches forward, Eurasian integration goes ever onwards and Iran will be a core part of this in the future. US myopic belligerence has had it’s day.
Just starting to come through on the rumour mill is that the target of the Iranian missile barage were CIA / MOSSAD / MI6 Agents (or Contractors such the one killed which started all this) – not US or British troops.
Unconfirmed sources are stating that their have been injuries – but that these are NOT Military casualties, therefore the Pentagon is being truthful that no Military personnel have been hit.
Deaths of CIA / MOSSAD / MI6 Agents will not normally be discussed by officials. This may account for the earlier rumours that between 70 and 100 people had been killed by the Iranian missile strikes.
This of course needs considerable further investigation and reliable verification, but it certainly would make sense that the Deepstate Intel agents behind all the Iran tensions, and who alledgely managed / carried out the actual attack on General Soleimani (may he rest in peace) would be an ‘appropriate’ target for Iranian retaliation – as opposed to simple soldiers and pieces of equipment.
Also,
Speculation is now growing that the Ukranian plane leaving Tehran during / shortly after the strikes was a a so called ‘rat flight’ by several Intel types of unknown origin (but the destination of the flight would suggest the usual suspects. Accounts of the passenger list so far include x3 British (MI6?) and several Canadian (false Canada nationals have been shown to be CIA and MOSSAD in Ukraine in previous leaks / revelations).
It is unknown just how much ‘Collateral Damage’ was done to innocents to take down these agents (if there were any).
Whatever the truth of this (and we have to wait some time to get it) I think there is significantly more to this than we currently know about.
I am also currently finding some very interesting information on the so called ‘fringe’ web / rumour mill which would suggest that storys of the ‘Trolling’ message and video clip sent to a Colonel in Erbil from an Iranian source was true. Details of that message were posted in the contents section of the Saker blog several hours before Iran struck, and the metaphores contained in the video clip were very powerful and pertinent (clip of the video apparently sent just prior to missile attack by Iran), particularly given the timing of its release on the fringe web:
https://youtu.be/M5wi9jOl9Uo?t=30
If I find anything reliable and verifiable I will post links as soon as I find them.
Thanks for the updates /clarification, sounds most plausible.
I too am following a bunch of ME-based correspondents, we will probably never find out the extent of damage. What impresses me (& hopefully the hegemony) is accuracy of the missiles & absence of collateral (though anyone with any sense would have kept away from the bases & “green zone”).
Iraq’s PMU has announced “now it’s our turn” http://217.218.67.231/Detail/2020/01/08/615658/Iraq Asaib Ahl al-Haq US Revenge
this was indeed done by the mossad and friends. I think Trump didnot even know about it. His flag remark proves it The aim s to the get the US do the job of destroying Iran. This is confirmed by the Satanyahoo saying that the hell had nothing to do with it. That just means they did it. If true good that Iran dealt the blow were it was needed
Very interesting take on operatives on the ukie plane. Boeing asked for the black box to help (heheheh) inspect it. Iranians learned the lesson from Russians and refused. Why on earth would they give it away to end up being framed? Canadians have indeed put themselves on the crosshairs ever since that idiot Harper openly supported ukronazis, and latter moved to support US campaign helping ISIS with six Canadian CF18 … I guess, we will find out sooner or later. Wondering if they will ever publish the names of the victims?
Thanks for your report.
Even yesterday or day before….DT was saying he offers to meet Iran face to face although Iran has refused previously as he is non agreement possible. DT tweet “all is well ” might still be his delusion that negotiations are possible..and that his bombastic style( deliberate use of the word) to force negotiations so his ego is justified ..however refusal of visa to Iran Foreign minister to go to UN seems to undermine that course of action.
I cannot imagine Iran has committed everything in first two strikes. Their negotiating skills for JCPOA included various stages for withdrawal. Surely a similar philosophy is in place now with reference to 13 options or levels or stages. I presume factories have stocks of various missiles systems and maybe working 24-7….. and protective systems would be in place to protect these and armaments storage from USA attack.
Nothing much from Iraq……quiet…supportive….resignation to the situation….USA still trying any leverage to buy them off? Iran has most serious intent and purpose…..but Iraq is bluff and bluster?
From a southfront article quoting a sputniknews one
https://southfront.org/iraqi-militia-leader-says-their-response-to-us-will-not-be-lesser-than-iranian-retaliation-reports/
“Iraqi militia commander Qais al-Khazali (HINT: He’s a leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, a group within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units) said on Wednesday that Baghdad would follow Iran’s response to the killing of its top military commander Qasem Soleimani on 3 January by the US, Reuters reported. Al-Khazali noted that the Iraqi response would not be “any less” than Tehran’s retaliation, following the death of Iraqi Shia Kata’ib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who was also killed in the US strike.
“The initial Iranian response to the assassination of the martyred commander Soleimani has happened. Now it is time for the initial response to the assassination of the martyred commander Muhandis. And because Iraqis are brave and zealous, their response will not be any less than that of Iran’s. That is a promise”, al-Khazali was quoted as saying.”
Some thoughts on general situation in Iraq
https://1001iraqithoughts.com/2020/01/08/leaderless-in-a-time-of-crisis/
Note Iran notified Iraq of missile strike.1 hr before…Prime Minister informed USA.
does iran revenge kicking usa out of middle east means iraq only or does it include entire region of axis of resistance?
“does iran revenge kicking usa out of middle east means iraq only or does it include entire region of axis of resistance?”
It means the entire ME. From occupied Palestine to UAE, and everywhere in between.
What part of the word “region” dont you understand?
The word “region” is rather vague and has a flexible range of meanings. The COED says:
region
n noun
1 an area of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries. Øan administrative district of a city or country.
2 a part of the body, especially around or near an organ.
PHRASES
in the region of approximately.
ORIGIN
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin regio(n-) ‘direction, district’, from regere ‘to rule, direct’.
Still more unconfirmed reports but interesting:
Firstly, that Iran ‘blipped on and off’ (whatever that means) a coastal missile radar late last night as a signal to US and British warships that they can and will be targeted, if necessary.
There was a Saudi ‘fishing boat’ (old style spy boat like the Soviet Union used to use) in the area at the time so it may actually have been a message to the Saudis to stay out of it or thier tankers will be targeted, as I would assume it would take sophisticated equipment to detect a weapons system ranging/targeting a vessel.
Either way the Saudis have responded by pulling back thier spy boat and keeping all state owned tankers in port or at sea outside the Gulf:
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/tanker-operators-suspend-travel-through-strait-hormuz
Unconfirmed reports that the Iranians are preparing to picket (as opposed to block) the straights of Hormuz and impede (‘impede’ as opposed to stop?) certain types of US and UK warship that could resupply or strengthen bases in Iraq.
The well known US resupply route to and from Djibouti (milk run) would be particularly to vulnerable to Iranian subs, and the US know this.
I am trying to find the original source for this rumour, as at the moment I can only trace it back as far as a comment left on a popular fringe site. However, this does seem a very plausable military option to prevent a Gulf War type build up of US & UK men and machines prior to a larger attack (Saddam made the catasrophic blunder of giving the US and UK weeks to move men and material into the region, unimpeded, and I can not see Iran making this same mistake).
If Saddam had continued the advance from Kuwait into the unprotected oil fields of Saudi Arabia, he would still be alive today. Indeed, he would be feted by all the governments of the West. The bankers would be queuing up to suck his tits.
Iran would have been better off not firing these old ineffective missiles
Maybe saving the better ones for later.
“In its attack on the #US bases in #Iraq, #Iran used for the first time modernised “Fateh 313″ missiles with several warheads and anti-interception devices”
Elijah J Magnier…..plus photos now published of hits within the base.
https://twitter.com/nukesn_missiles/status/1214857698044469250
here is a thread for those of you that is tired of “arguments” like those above and the muuh Irans missiles fell down b4 they reached their targets..
With these Iranian strikes, it seems like the american patriot system was caught short with its pans down watching porn and could not see any incoming missiles.
Patriot is useless, therefore Turks, Saudis, etc want the S400.
Which has very big implications. Sales of Patriot systems will plummet – costing US corporations a lot of money – while Russian systems fill the gap.
Moreover, the worse the US government behaves, the more countries will want to buy air defence systems that protect them from arbitrary attacks. Without command of the air, the US armed forces will not dare to attack.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/08/615644/Iran-Leader-address-IRGC-revenge-Soleimani
“The talk of revenge and such debates are a different issue. For now, a slap was delivered on their face last night,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in remarks broadcast live on national television Wednesday.
“breaking news on Presstv”
Please all be aware that Psyops and Propaganda are now in play in the western mainstream media regarding the events of the last 24 hours.
I have noticed significant ‘strangeness’ on many mainstream websites and news outlets regarding the damage caused by the Iranian missiles which can only be explained through the lenses of proganda and psyops.
Especially odd is that US and US-allied Iraqi forces are now releasing images of mortar / katusha (or even poorly hand dug) craters surrounded by metal fragments (way outside base perimetres) and claiming that they were made by Iranian missiles.
I have seen several balistic missile craters and these craters were not caused by missles traveling at the speed of sound with 200KG warheads.
Also very strange indeed is that no mainstream media outlet is currently mentioning the presence of CIA / MI6 / Intel Contractors at these locations.
It is likely that damage control teams are covering up actual damage to CIA / MI6 facilities prior to mainstream media being invited inside bases to ‘prove’ little or no damage.
Also,
Perhaps due to Massive speculation on some popular websites of CIA / MOSSAD / MI6 agents being onboard the ‘crashed’ Ukranian flight (interesting how quickly the speculation moved from ‘fringe’ websites to mainstream) it appears that Psyops regarding passengers (and Iranian threats to down an airline) are now also in play.
There are some strange and interesting reports coming in that the US and Isreal are not going to let this go and that we are in the quiet before the storm.
I ask that all people be aware that Psyops and Propaganda are in play and stay watchful for indications of US and Irsraeli counter-strikes.
Hassan Carim,
Thank you for your interesting and calm posts during these troubled times.
The level of response by Iran leaves room for U.S. to not escalate further for everyone who has common sense.
Those favoring Iran may be a bit disappointed in their response. Just as those favoring U.S. will be disappointed if U.S. doesn’t respond with further escalation.
Personally, I am happy with the Iranian response so far. No U.S. soldiers killed and a message that Iran has capable missile threat that can strike anywhere in the region. They have shown previously they can strike all the way to Syria.
With U.S. and Saudi Arabia knowing their air defenses can be penetrated, this should give pause to them pushing harder. Whether they take heed or not, time will tell.
U.S. has shown they have stomach for war and no one should doubt that. Saudi Arabia does not as they have shown. Israel, I don’t think they have stomach for it. Would love to see U.S. solve their problem for them. But Israel does not have the Lion’s share of oil in the middle east and that is what U.S. really cares about.
Maybe world would be bothered if Israel was destroyed but, everyone could still go on with their daily lives. Not so if Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq oil supplies are cut off. Iran would be wise to continue to split worlds interests away from Israel and focus on areas in the region that would cut oil supply.
We may be in for one of the biggest ‘shows’ of our lives. I listened to most of the pre-speeches (they are all waiting for Trump now) and unfortunately they are all for getting the Iranians.
So, we will have escalation, de-escalation or some kind of sideway’s shuffle called ‘strength for peace’.
Took down a few notes from Esper :
Iraq resoluton for US forces to leave is non binding (whatever that means – there is no agreement currently as far as I can search) He says he has received nothing from Iraq in terms of withdrawing forces
Iran must sit down and negotiate and become a ‘normal’ country (normal in poli science means democratic like the US)
There is nothing Iran is doing right now that are hampering US operations, Esper says.
He says Iran should de-escalate – Soleimani was a terrorist leader and has been conducting operations against the US for 20 years and has the blood of many (600) US personnel on his hands .. Soleimani is responsible for killing Iraqis and Iranians … he was in Bagdad to conduct additional attacks – his time was due, Esper says.
But the ‘exquisite’ information that Soleimani was going to attack the US he will share only with gang of 8.
So, there we have it folks – escalation, de-escalation or some kind of sideway’s shuffle called ‘strength for peace’. Careful out there, some serious ‘screwing with minds’ imminent.
I have a feeling we have something like the canard of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ coming along from Trump with all the bells and whistles. Truly hope I am wrong, but listening to all those comments this morning ???? that is what I think. Trump is late and it is just a litany of all that Iran did bad to the US over years and years – it is a massive smear job. They are truly ‘milking the weewee out of it!’
@ amarynth,
Totally agree with your comment, especially, “Careful out there, some serious ‘screwing with minds’ imminent”.
I just posted a comment to warn of the same thing – which I have already noticed in several forms.
There is currently a lot of old fashioned Propaganda mixed with modern Psyops in the news and on the internet.
The fringe websites I get many of my ‘heads up’ from are also clearly being got at – I am struggling to log on to them. Most noticeable also is that keyword searches on Google (especially searches for Canadian Moosad agents Ukraine, etc) are also clearly being ‘algorithmed’ into the back pages or into oblivion.
We are well within the realms of Psyops now and my ‘gut instinct’ tells me we are in very dangerous territory.
US global military pestige has been badly damaged and the thier carefully crafted myth of omnipotency has been exposed to the world. There is no way, no way at all that the Deepstate Luciferian / Zionist extremists (and the crazy anti-Iran Christian Zionist lobbys) will let this go.
“US global military prestige has been badly damaged and the their carefully crafted myth of omnipotency has been exposed to the world. There is no way, no way at all that the Deepstate Luciferian / Zionist extremists (and the crazy anti-Iran Christian Zionist lobbys) will let this go.”
True statement
I’m not going to give Trump any credit whatsoever for some 5D chess plan to accomplish withdrawal from the ME.
But I also cannot help to ignore what just happened is potentially very positive for the ME and U.S. as well.
U.S. air defense I don’t think is so horrible as to be incapable of taking down even a single Iranian missile in strikes. Maybe I’m wrong considering what happened to the Saudi oil facility not long ago. If Patriot missiles can defend U.S. in this new age, that is very bad for U.S. and their allies. Deepstate or not, U.S. will not be able to wield same power as they did the last 30+ years.
Which means they can’t defend Israel the same as before. Which means the options for Israel have just been narrowed down to TOTAL WAR or accept they don’t have U.S. proxy protection like they once did.
Israel is biggest loser in this current situation. Even Saudi Arabia is in better position than Israel.
The US can escalate all it wants, when the dust settles it will come out a lesser – the more it tries. The ‘process’ of response will intensify until the US leaves Iraq. The Donald knows that and thus holds all cards in hands – he will now listen to what will proposed to him and then select the most favourable proposition – domestically and the situation on the spot. If all are crying blood, blood, then that’s what will be delivered. At the end he will meet the Iranians and make the ‘deal’.
Of course all of this is only possible because he has a solid base to operate from in the military and most of the services, I assume. After the whole thing, this base will be larger because every manouver ALWAYS has a very strong domestic component attached to it – the unseen targets within….or what is commonly called the Deep State.
The Donald is doing very, very well !
“An hour ago, 224 American soldiers, wounded during an Iranian missile attack, were transferred to Tel Aviv by an American plane and they were admitted to the hospital,” said Jack Khoury.
Jack Khoury’s Twitter account was suspended a few minutes after posting this tweet.
Information wars
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/08/false-claims-spread-online-after-iran-missile-attack-on-iraqi-airbase
We won’t get the full truth from either side. Things will trickle out over time to build a shaded in picture but no one outside will get ALL the details.
Bovine scatology, pure and simple. Show me a reliable source, not some ‘teewitter’ sjw supposition.
Also, my friend, kindly think a little before reporting this sort of nonsense. Do you have any concept of how many airframes it takes to transport 224 casualties? Do you have an concept of what ‘224 casualties’ looks like on the ground? Do you have any comprehension of what the total casualty count would be to generate ‘224’ wounded? Kindly show me current Sat images of a massive medical treatment, triage and evacuation effort at the Al Asad aerodrome that would be in excess of the 500 casualties to generate ‘224’ wounded. You can’t, because there aren’t any.
Auslander
Author
Never The Last One, paper back edition. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521849056 A deep look in to Russia, her culture and her Armed Forces, in essence a look at the emergence of Russian Federation.
An Incident On Simonka paperback edition. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1696160715 NATO Is Invited To Leave Sevastopol, One Way Or The Other.