Dear friends, Christ is born! Glorify Him!
I am aware of the situation. All we know is that Iran has fired 10+ missiles at the al-Asad US air base.
I have no solid data so far. I will resume commenting here as soon as I have some hard facts.
Right now my family and I are about to sit down at our Nativity dinner. Please give me a few hours with them.
PLEASE POST ANY FACTS YOU COME ACROSS HERE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!
Thank you!
One advice: please do NOT trust the many rumors and exaggerated claims (of EITHER side). The best is to wait 24 hours.
The Saker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auPHslL2h70
Missiles being fired… somewhere from Iran…
Putin is next door in Syria. Airspace across region unsafe. Russia will now be moving significant firepower into region.
2nd wave, apparently:
https://www.rt.com/news/477680-iran-more-retaliation-strikes/
Do you mean like more S300’s that were given to Syria but never used?
Dear friends, it is crazy. This thing is already in wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Asad_Airbase .
It belongs to them…
Never let a good crisis go to waste.
Shockingly telling!
Brother Blue
Occasionally we see the Beast. It can’t be helped.
Look at Libya. First thing the “rebels” declared for was the formation of a central bank.
As always, many thanks to The Saker and his elves for keeping this site running.
The Pentagon has now reported that it is multiple bases (with US troops) being hit from multiple directions not just Al-asad airbase. The Pentagon also had indicated that their reports indicate that the incoming missiles are a mix of cruise and ballistic missiles.
The attack is still ongoing.
How Will the Orange blowhard respond now, that his bluff has been called?
While some Iranians might be disappointed that this was THE retaliation, Trump’s initial reaction makes me very hopeful that war will be averted.
The Iranians made it very clear that no further action from them will follow as long as the US or their allies refrain from doing something.
And Trump’s “all is well” COULD mean that he has understood that this is a golden opportunity for him to get off the hook and off the war path.
As for the Iranian side, they made the best out of a very bad setup and acted masterfully. First, Khamenei announced that Iran’s retaliation must absolutely be carried out direct (not via proxies), visible and at military targets. That was the first, necessary step to make it harder for neocons/zionist warhawks to stage a false flag.
Second, Iran retaliated as quickly as possible, literally in the first hour after mourning for Suleimani was over.
Third, they immediately announced “this WAS it!”
Of course, THEY could still stage false flags but it will be very hard to sell them as part of Iranian retaliation now.
War is still a possibility, if course, but it has become a lot less likely now. IF Trump holds back now. Otherwise, all bets are off.
What is absolutely strange is the downing of the Ukrainian plane near Teheran at almost the same time. And both Ukraine and Iran immediately talked of a pure technical failure, which looks odd so shortly after the incident.
We need more information on that before we could make any judgement
https://youtu.be/WXNvjNkTvMo
Missiles flying
The missiles hit at the precise time of the night that General Soleimani was killed.
This was a Fox News-Pentagon report.
https://www.rt.com/news/477678-iran-irgc-soleimani-revenge/
Iran launches 2nd wave of missiles:
https://www.rt.com/news/477680-iran-more-retaliation-strikes/
Here is an article that shows how Washington deliberately tries to confuse Americans with the sole purpose of misleading them into believing that a terrorist attack is about to take place:
https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-bethlehem-doctrine-and-new.html
This methodology has been used by governments to justify the drone attacks on foreign soil that have been used as the weapon of choice since the War on Terror evolved into a battle with very few “boots on the ground”.
It seems that Iran launched a second missile attack. Right now Putin is in Syria. What Russia will do ? It s crazy. The airspace is unsafe right now.
“Several other bases in Iraq” were struck?
“The strike on Al-Asad and several other US bases in Iraq took place at 01:20 local time, the exact time Soleimani’s convoy was struck.”
https://www.rt.com/news/477678-iran-irgc-soleimani-revenge/
Several updates
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/missile-strike-reportedly-carried-out-against-us-base-iraq
Its a big base and the odds of injury are low by the law of people per sq/mi.
If there was anyone there.
Seems Iran response was as weak as possible. Likely hoping USA would accept it and not respond.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/07/615621/IRGC-Ain-al-Assad-airbase-Anbar-province-
For wha it is worth, Channel 7 (ABC news), Martha Radetz said that the ground-to-ground missiles were not accurate and were fired into the desert. She suggested that this was just to show Iranians that they “did something” to show a response — one that would not lead to meaningful escalation.
Sound like Martha radetz is lying just like during the first gulf war, Israelis like radetz claimed the Patriot missiles intercepted every incoming acid, while you could see in the live feed from CNN an city block in Tel-Aviv in a fireball as scud wayhead struck and exploded.
I wouldn’t believe any claim exaggerating accuracy or lack of accuracy or no casualties or many casualties.
Over here in the America’s, even the exceptionalist FOX news is speaking quite soberly today (after behaving like provacative idiots yesterday ridiculing the potential of an Iranian response) they certainly aren’t being cockey today.
Sure happens all the time, more so after your 2nd in command dies, you make sure that you miss…
Hronia Polla Saker and your family. Means many years in Greek.
Amen, Christ is born.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSvDoERccYo&list=PL4R0RQw-MPavpCRu7RTDouGA7fLwmhvtd&index=9&t=0s
I have prayed more than usual the last days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2r1TGAdJ0Y&list=PL4R0RQw-MPauf_EjMeHTKu_ug_MZQ0uTO&index=7
There are reports that more than one base has been attacked.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001081077971219-us-al-asad-air-base-in-iraq-comes-under-rocket-attack-reports/
Brilliant move (since they just had to react as The Saker and others has stated)
We will shortly see the Danish, Norwegian, French, German and English troops that is part of “inherent resolve” being evacuated. Norwegian troops (70) are mainly stationed on Ayn al-Asad airbase.
As I understand it the drone attack was controlled from there as well.
I would,as The Saker has stated here, recommend to keep calm, follow whatever news source you have access to /(Buckets of salt please).
Unfortunately, and even here, I foresee a certain amount (high) of commentators going off half-cocked with wild speculations that might remind some of the confusion in an ant colony being stomped by a passing Elephant.
Take Care
Kent
Yes, We are all ants trying to comprehend an elephant!
@skynewsarabia
releases footages shows #Iranian missiles were launched from #Iran toward Al Assad military base in #Iraq ,according to #Iraqi sources a #US helicopter have been destroyed.
https://twitter.com/Bilesa_Shaweys/status/1214695625620672517
IRGC missiles in Kermanshah Sky
https://twitter.com/Farhadrezaeii/status/1214685017898663937
Official #Iran’s news Agency FarsNews confirms that #Iran fires ballistic missiles toward #US bases in #Iraq.
https://twitter.com/Bilesa_Shaweys/status/1214687612990033922
#Iranian official Tv declares
the targeting of the
#US al-Asad base with dozens of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles in #Iraq as a revenge for US operation against #IRGC commander #Suleimani .
https://twitter.com/Bilesa_Shaweys/status/1214689861745172480
let the Yanks get a taste of what the helpless innocents of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Donbass (E. Ukraine) have been tasting from US bombs for decades!! Amerikkkans make me absolutely sick
Washington brought this on themselves. But take no joy in it. Everyone loses in war. Everyone.
not sure I understand your response; working class Amerikkkans had no problem following orders from Washington to kill innocents abroad; 99% of them return home and spend the rest of their lives justifying and rationalizing their attacks on innocents in the countries listed above, not to mention the three countries in Indochina from decades past
That simply isn’t true. The suicide rate for American soldiers has skyrocketed. These soldiers are kids who had been told that they were going on an honorable mission and found out that they had been lied to. Many have seen terrible tragedies. Often they come back racked with guilt. Some kill themselves. I have met some of these poor haunted souls. I had one friend end up homeless and eventually die in a gutter.
But that was not the point I was trying to make.
The point is this. Killing does not end killing. It only perpetuates killing and more suffering.
That doesn’t mean that I am ignorant of the real problem. The American Empire is the single most dangerous and destructive force in the world. But it is bringing itself down. I live in America and I see it happening all around me every day.
We should not rejoice at more suffering but only try deal with its collapse in as humane a manner as possible.
US Bases all over Iraq were hit by dozens of missiles. Initial reports are 20-40 US dead (US claims) to 80 dead (Iran claims). At the same time, PMU launched rockets. 35 rockets launched at one base. The Al Asad Air Base in Iraq is in flames. US planes taking off from numerous locations. Initial barrage of ~20 missiles was followed by another barrage of dozens of missiles.
Did you just make that up or can you share a link to this report? Because that’s the first I’ve heard of it (casualties and multiple bases being hit).
More missiles in a second wave—
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001081077971707-second-wave-of-missile-attacks-fired-against-us-targets-in-iraq—iranian-media/
https://twitter.com/iraqitweet/status/1214702785033375744
missiles hitting trgets in Iraq, not confirmed footage..
2nd missile wave in Erbil? Kurdistan?
https://www.rt.com/news/477680-iran-more-retaliation-strikes/
Zerohedge (strangely) is carrying accurate commentary.
“Update 10: And now we wait for the US counter-response: just after 730pm, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at the White House, as did the Chairman of Joint Chiefs. In short, Trump’s entire war cabinet is now at the White House.”
In addition, oil futures are rising in a straight line up.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/missile-strike-reportedly-carried-out-against-us-base-iraq
Dear Saker,
There will be plenty of time for analysis when all the facts are in. Enjoy the evening with your family, those times are not replaceable.
If there is a tomorrow…
Well, if there isn’t going to be a tomorrow, then even bigger reason to spend it with the family. Best to you and yours.
Supposed footage of the strike.
https://mobile.twitter.com/FarsNews_Agency/status/1214706153344643075
The americans are oddly and uncharacteristically uninformative about the results. I think they were as surprised as I am.
Mir Bozji! Hristos se rodi!
This will no doubt be the start of a multi phased offence strategy, Iran will instill panic among US forces in the region & begin picking off strategic targets that will induce a lot of pain. They asked for it. They got it. Respect to Trump & his orange wig. He has style. Give him that.
Ваистину се роди!
So far it is 2:0 for Serbs.
Google translation,MOD:
Reality is born!
Translation is wrong. Should be “Indeed he is born”. It’s a thing orthodox Christians say for Christmas.
Thanks,got a love google,lol,MOD
Or it may be, in truth He is born; Navistina se rodi…( Macedonian )…
I don’t believe it.
First, best revenge is served cold, and when it NOT expected.
Two, what proof do we have so far it is Iran that fired the missiles?
Three, could it be that this was product of a mutual “save face” deal negotiated by the Russians, and the rockets are going to hit no one or cause minimal casualties, as I expect that all US military personnel would be under high alert and in some kind of bunker.
Four, it could be a false flag by Israel, or even the US itself, to trigger major attacks.
This attack is too soon and too impulsive to be the product of a carefully considered Iranian decision. Furthermore, missiles are known to cause few casualties unless of high quality and against high-value targets which these bases are not. The symbolic value, yes, but militarily, of only transient value for the Americans.
So, I doubt it. There’s a rodent in this. I guess we’ll soon know. But things are not what they seem.
te respaldo compa, no lo creo tampoco
Google translate,MOD:
I support you, I don’t think so either
Iranian source:
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/07/615621/IRGC-Ain-al-Assad-airbase-Anbar-province-
How do we know the missiles come from Iran and not from Iraq?
…my “two cents”, from Tovarich Andrei:
http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2020/01/orwellian.html
Well, it will go harder and tougher, IMHO…
Kind regards, and Merry Christmas (…for the believers… …and the non-believers too… <3 )
Not sure if this is irresponsible speculation, but from what has been said, I would expect a strike that destroys property (symbolically the US occupation) but does not take life — note that the Iranians said that there was no human target comparable to Soleimani. On the other hand I fully expect the US to fabricate casualties if necessary. c.f. the British vs. the IRA
Second wave just hit
It looks like they didn’t wait for the false flag. There are now reports of a second wave of missiles.
I wonder if the US had the sense to build any air raid shelters for the servicemen? Even slit trenches would be better than nothing. A ‘gut feeling’ tells me the likely answer to both questions is “NO”.
China offers military assistance to Iraq’s government.
https://api.guidants.com/db/f9/6/cccb347fba5a83.png
https://twitter.com/IsraelBreaking/status/1214712008483979264
URGENT BREAKING: Iran state affiliated media channel Tasnim news reports officials saying that if US retaliates to tonights Iran strikes on US bases, Hezbollah will target Israel by its missiles.
Israel breaking on twitter
One of the heads of the the quds force (IRGC) openly said this in a warning to Trump (the video was played several times on US MSM) he said: if you you retaliate against our response we will rain fire on that entity with is so precious to you.
It seems that Iranians believe that Trump and the US Administration considers Israel as more precious to them than America and Americans. This is very strange.
No, I’m 100% sure he meant Saudi oil fields.
That makes you 100% wrong
Uhh… I think missed the joke.
Strange that the truth is told or strange concept??
@Anaam : Not strange at all. Trump himself very recently stated in a public interview that US policy in the Middle East is guided foremost by “protecting Israel” and that American national interests rank below that.
For once, he told the truth and he meant what he said.
C Рождеством!
Considering fanfares by MSM to this rocket incident this is likely non event. I would say it is symbolic salvos by Iranians with specific intentions not to cause damage and only to make statement especially given the timing of the firing. Time will tell.
Sayyed Nasrallah: Qassem Soleimani’s Shoe Is Worth More Than Trump’s Head!
Just saying
Now we are hearing that the orange blowhard manchild in chief wants to make an address to United States of America nation (so that he can play “president” and feel important).
I hope that checks and balances stop this idiot’s badly calculated bluff from escalating this situation, based on his sociopathic ego.
I certainly hope no ordinary American personnel
or Iraqis got hurt (they come from the poor, lower classes and middleclass). It would be a shame for them to get hurt because of a spoiled billionaire blowhard’s inability to admit he was wrong or because of an exceptionalist pompous secretary of state trying to justify his setting of illegal dangerous precedents.
You have to respect international law or we will live in nuclear chaos. You have to play by the rules and not cheat when those rules turn out to be inconvenient for you in a specific instance. If you cheat, that means you don’t have the skills and intelligence to play the game.
The US and (especially the UK under Tony Blair) have made a horrible mess of the entire Middle-East for 17 years. Iraq has been completely destroyed, “democracy” a-la US is a complete failure there, Iran has been a stabilizing force all along by fighting ISIS tooth-and-nail all along and keeping Iraq and Syria’s head over water.
Turkey has been destabilizing and continues to be, including in Libya now where it supports the Islamic Brotherhood and pulls every possible corner of the entire blanket toward itself, and we need to get the hell out and allow the countries to decide for themselves if they will go with China and the One Belt One Road and which country(ies) will help rebuild them, where and how.
(Democracy is a wet dream which has never worked, ever since the Greeks tried it and returned to a republic after TWO years. Neither is appropriate in tribal regions. Democracy works… nowhere! It is a myth).
https://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2003/CaplanMises.html
https://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2003/CaplanBastiat.html
We really need to listen to people who KNOW about the region instead of the overpaid talking heads who profit from chaos and promote it everywhere while clamoring for “democracy” which has NEVER existed, especially not under any purely mercantilist system such as what we created and exported.
Truly a must-listen to if we want to understand how badly we need to… get the hell out and atone for our sins while we still can!
Especially if we want to keep our own country… The world will survive without us. We’ve made sure we can’t survive without the world but rather than learning about it, we’ve used and abused it and tried for too long to bend it for our own benefit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD1hWq6KD44&feature=emb_title
Author and Southwest Asia editor for Executive Intelligence Review magazine, Hussein Askary, lays out the critical context in which Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed by U.S. forces. Askary reviews the public and internal overtures made by actors within the region, and others abroad, to reduce foreign military presence in the area and begin an international strategy for the reconstruction of Iraq and Syria, which has faced constant intervention and sabotage by forces local and abroad who wish to keep conflict flaring in the region for their own interests and control.
Askary reminds viewers that the assassination of Soleimani is not something to take sides on, or compare analysis of, it’s a critical turning point for either war or peace and development. Now is not time to think like partisans or geopolitical hacks, but instead, consider what our best American leaders would do in this scenario.
re:Christine Marais
sorry, our best American leaders would never have gotten us into this mess in the first place and our second best would get us out ASAP. ( evidently one General tried yesterday but was shot down by friendly fire so to speak metaphorically)
I have put a dove of peace flag outside my front door and have taped up a flag of the earth on my front balcony.
There will be no hysterical posting of my American flag to celebrate this victory of the Stock Exchange Bull Market
and the glory of the military-industrial-banking-techie deep state complex.
I weep for my people.
“our best American leaders”… care to name a few? From where I stand… 229 years of war out of 232 years of existence tells me that ‘our best American leaders” were always about war. Hence the ongoing mess. I must be missing something… Care to share?
“the other side” is doing their usual shtick..
https://twitter.com/valor4us/status/1214719283948900352
A lot of information will be coming in within the next hours (days) so it won’t be easy to really know all the facts. I think we’re at a real risk of the war spiraling out of control in the following days. The Saker was right in his assessment that war is now 90 percent certain. Personally, I didn’t believe it would escalate to a full-scale war but we’re one step away. Iranian-backed militias are on full alert, apparently. Lots of escalators potential at the moment.
As it looks now, the Neocons have dragged us into another war, likely the most dangerous one yet.
I love your first sentence! On the surface it seems non-sensical, suffering from a severe internal contradiction. But, of course, in reality it is the pure truth as today “more information” usually means more distraction, more obfuscation, more distortion, more lies piled upon older lies which are themselves piled upon even older lies etc. etc.. This is what has happened to “information” over the past 30-40 years.
Here’s what Frank Zappa made of some
lines from T.S. Eliot’s “The Rock” …
Information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is the best
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001081077971707-second-wave-of-missile-attacks-fired-against-us-targets-in-iraq—iranian-media/
Sputnik’s summary of the first wave of Iran’s retaliatory strikes:
“35 missiles were launched and struck US targets in Erbil, Iraq and the country’s Ayn al-Asad Air Base, which houses US military forces.”
Currently the second wave is ongoing. Unclear how many missiles were fired. Sputnik states that, “Around five rockets have struck Camp Taji – a US coalition base located 27 kilometers north of Baghdad, Iraq.”
Huge FWIW (obviously) but in the past I have found cassad to be reasonably good and timely source:
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/5550002.html#cutid1
https://t.me/s/boris_rozhin
Happy orthodox Christmas Saker & family (and everyone else who celebrates Jan 7th)
During the 79 revolution, any Iranians residing in the U.S. had to either go back to Iran, or remain in America and never be welcome back, they had like 1 or 2 weeks to get their belongings in order.
This has probably been declared to the Iraq’ie troops, leave the bases or forever not be welcome back. So currently this is just a military to military response…… But, they do have a Queen over there (we liquidated ours), and most likely a shook up one.
Now, in the event of something happening to her, there is a something the public would react to that would be like a nest of angry suicidal fighter pilots, because they are left with nothing to lose.
The base was just rocketed last November. I would seriously question why this attack didn’t at least receive a response from anti-missile fire. Makes me wonder if anyone is at the base since there were reports of US troops leaving certain bases already.
I wish you all a good night, im too tired and the hate spewing maga crowd and propaganda bots on twitter zapped the last energy from me.
I pray that there will be no major war when i wake up, if there is i wish us all Godspeed and that the war ends soon.
CHRISTE ELEISON!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Mf-1A6YtE
Middle East Observers have sprung into action ( they are translators?). here is their twitter address: I’m not sure of their reliability but they seem OK
https://twitter.com/MEO_Translation
Yes, I followed up a link to this guy Hussein Askary.
He’s part of that cult group linked to Lyndon LaRouche.
They can’t help themselves dropping his name into everything at least 2-3 times.
Lyndon LaRouche is now dead and his wife is the new foci.
Typically, it is more about what the ‘leader’ says than what is being said.
Obsessed with British ‘control’ etc.
But, with that aside, sometimes reasonable analysis can be forthcoming.
LaRouche was actually the originator of the Chinese New Silk Road initiative. About thirty years ago he actually lectured about the idea in China. Apparently, the Chinese thought it was a good idea.
La Rouche was 100% right. He was a visionary. American imbecility could not see that. The best they could come up with was that he was a ‘fascist’ and scores of imbeciles would take it at that.
Pretty appalling US air defence response I would say. The whole protection racket is coming apart at the seams. Should be great for S300/S400 sales.
sorry about the goof up but it is best to go to their website especially later as they get revved up.
http://middleeastobserver.net
As an ex-Intelligence Analyst, historian and archaeologist agree with your concluding statement completely. Mind you the American Idiot-in-Chief is so delusional and narcissistic that anything could happen in those 24 hours. I get the feeling that America’s allies are less than enthused by what was done and what the prospects are: Bibi Netanyahoo for one has started to back peddle (mind you he got what he wanted and now realises its not what he really wanted); the Saudis are obviously extremely worried, not to mention all the smaller Gulf entities that agreed to host US bases; and the Iraqis – really fucking pissed (sorry I’m ex Army). I also think the saner members of the US military (incl Navy) are to use the expression – shitting bricks – at what could happen. Be interested to see what US ships in the Persian Gulf are doing.
Merry Christmas and please do enjoy your dinner with your family. We love you.
Tweet from Zarif
Javad Zarif
Verified account @JZarif
1h1 hour ago
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.
Ukrainian plane went down and apparently an earthquake hit right next to Bushrer nuclear site. They can’t be coincidences. Is this some super weapon being used?
yeah that’s weird – false flag ? Where did it go down ? I didn’t hear about any earthquake
Well I have a video but no link to it and it seems that’s there were many many more than 10+ missiles. There should be some other sources here showing that.
In https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13981018000060 they speak of tens of missiles, not 10+.
Many blessings to you and your family. Christ is born!
Interesting move by Iran and very well thought through it seems. This is game of escalation and US escalated a lot with their assassination of Iranian leader. Iran is of course much smaller country that can’t challenge US on equal terms, and they would be stupid if they tried to. Which is what US was calculating with -they knew Iran can’t respond in kind.
That said, strike on US base is a direct challenge to the USA and it’s might. But it’s not major escalation. Especially if Iran made sure no troops were killed. It upped the stake just a little bit. Enough to throw challenge to the US, but not enough to give US legitimate excuse to all out strike Iran. If USA won’t react and not attack Iran, it will be sign of weakens, especially to local US allies. No country dared to attack US military openly (not counting when US invaded of course or US drone been shot down over contested airspace). But if US decides to attack Iran, it will not find international support for it and will find itself more and more isolated.
Choice of the target is also telling: they struck airbase that Trump barged about just few days ago as been biggest most expensive and one that US is not going to leave.
Little Iran have slapped big mighty USA …but Iran did not punch USA. If USA punches back, it will be seen as inappropriate response. If it does not, it will be seen as a weakness and a humiliation of the self appointed hegemon.
Now we don’t know the details yet, especially if there were any US casualties. But if there were not …then well played Iran.
According to Iranian media Ain el Assad base was hit by fifteen missiles leading to the death of 80 Americans and the wounding of 200.
Is this now comic land ?
Should “10 missiles” stand for “10 deaths” as “revenge” ?
The whole thing starts to look pathetic.
Reminds me of 56 or so tomahawks thrown into Syria.
Trump asserted that Iraq should pay billons for the ultramodern airbase, if US have to leave
Iraq might now accept, and pay a few dollars for all the rubble
Merry Christmas Saker and Family.
As always, good advice… Confirm the hard facts.
I doubt if it’s all for show, and that Iranians and Pentagon have made an agreement on some symbolic strike at an empty base in order to apease the Teherani plebs.
London Paul said, in his latest Sirius report podcast, that the Al Asad airbase was in fact a primary target for an Iranian retailiation strike. He was apparently dead on, as usual.
He also said that the Pentagon officials presented Trump in December with possible targets, including, as a far-fetched and extreme potential, General Suleimani. It is apparently routine procedure to do so, in the expectation that the Prez not consider it seriously.
They were flabbergasted when the treacherous Trumptard in fact opted for that target once he was irate enough, given his willie-controlled mental set-up, being confronted with the perceived seige of the “embassy” in Baghdad.
If there were no casualities now then probably b/c the military, mindful of their blunder, pulled out beforehand, in order to avoid further escalation. But that does by no means imply that there was some kind of face saving agreement.
Trump sounded very wobbly.
Apparently the US has been stunned by the effectiveness of Iran’s missiles and know their threats are not idle.
I just watched Pres. Trump’s speech on RT. My first impression was that it was incoherent propaganda.
Not really based on reality he also claimed that lt. gen. Sulemani was responsible for return of IS.
RT comments by itself is was also very stupid, the america-based reporter finding many parts of the speech interesting.!?
I think it is safe to consider RTa zionist outlet with some specific russian point of view but becoming more and more infiltrated.
From MoA
Update – 17:00 UTC
Additional information has come in which corrects or adds to some of the above made claims.
The 17 missiles launched against Ain al Assad airbase were of the Qiam-2 type which is an updated version of the original Qiam with a guided warhead and much better accuracy. The missiles launched towards Erbil airport were solid fueled Fateh 313 missiles which have a 500 kilometer range and additional anti-interception devices.
Damage pictures of Ain al-Assad airbase show that the hits were well targeted and extremely precise.
Source: ArmsControlWonk – bigger
Source: ArmsControlWonk – bigger
Hope you had a great dinner, we are waiting for your views Saker