Global InformationOperation Martyr Soleimani information
| Operation Martyr Soleimani | |
|---|---|
| Part of events that followed the assassination of Qasem Soleimani during the 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis | |
 Damage (encircled) to at least five structures at Ayn al-Asad airbase in a series of missile attacks by Iran | |
| Operational scope | Military strike targeting multiple sites |
| Locations | Ayn al-Asad Airbase, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq 33°48′N 42°26′E / 33.800°N 42.433°E Erbil International Airport, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq 36°14′15″N 43°57′47″E / 36.2375°N 43.963056°E |
| Planned by |  Iran |
| Target | Ayn al-Asad Airbase Erbil Airbase |
| Date | 8 January 2020, from about 1:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. (UTC+03:00) |
| Executed by |  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force[1] |
| Outcome | 11 Qiam 1 missiles[2] hit Ayn al-Asad Airbase[3] |
| Casualties |  110 U.S. military personnel wounded (traumatic brain injury)[4] |
  Ayn al-Asad Airbase Location of the targets hit | |
On 8 January 2020, in a military operation code named Operation Martyr Soleimani (Persian: عملیات شهید سلیمانی),[5] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched over 12 ballistic missiles at the Ayn al-Asad airbase in Al Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, as well as another airbase in Erbil, in response to the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani by a United States drone strike.[6][7][8]
The strike was the largest ballistic missile attack ever against Americans.[9] Initially, the U.S. was not willing to concede the seriousness of the attack.[10] While it initially assessed that none of its service members were injured or killed,[11][12] the U.S. Department of Defense ultimately said that 110 service members had been diagnosed and treated for traumatic brain injuries (mainly concussions) from the attack. Some of them were later awarded the Purple Heart.
Iran reportedly informed the Iraqi government of an imminent attack shortly beforehand.[13][14] The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack was intended to kill,[15] however some analysts suggested the strike was deliberately designed to avoid causing any fatalities in order to dissuade an armed American response.[16][17] The U.S. said it was able to avoid fatalities due to early warning provided by the United States Space Force.[18][19]
Hours after the missile attacks, during a state of high alert, IRGC forces mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, killing 176 people, leading to widespread Iranian protests against the clerical regime.
In the months following the attack, the U.S. deployed Patriot and other missile defense systems to some of their Iraqi bases.[20]
- ^ "IRGC Aerospace Commander: Wednesday Missile Strikes Mark Start of Major Operations Across Region". Fars News Agency. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Roblin, Sebastian (11 January 2020). "Meet the Qiam Missile Iran Used to Blast a U.S. Airbase". The National Interest. The National Interest. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ Mizokami, Kyle (8 January 2020). "Did Iran Intentionally Avoid Killing U.S. Soldiers in Last Night's Missile Attack?". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 110: Pentagon ABS News, 22 February 2020
- ^ Martinez, Luis; McLaughlin, Elizabeth (7 January 2020). "Iran launches missiles into US air bases in Iraq: US official". ABC News. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Singh, Maanvi; Greve, Joan; Doherty, Ben; Butler, Ben; Perraudin, Frances; Safi, Michael; Borger, Julian (8 January 2020). "Iran launches missiles at US forces in Iraq at al-Asad and Erbil—live updates". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ Eqbali, Aresu; Malsin, Jared; Leary, Alex (7 January 2020), "Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Forces in Iraq", Wall Street Journal, retrieved 7 January 2020
- ^ "Iran Fires Missiles at Two U.S. Bases in Iraq: Live Updates". The New York Times. 8 January 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ 60 Minutes (28 February 2021), Never-before-seen video of the attack on Al Asad Airbase, retrieved 9 December 2021
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:17was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "US troops were injured in Iran missile attack despite Pentagon initially saying there were no casualties". CNN. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Rubin, Alissa J.; Fassihi, Farnaz; Schmitt, Eric; Yee, Vivian (7 January 2020). "Iran Fires on U.S. Forces at 2 Bases in Iraq, Calling It 'Fierce Revenge'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Iraq warningwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:11was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Kamal Ayash; John Davison (13 January 2020). "Hours of forewarning saved U.S., Iraqi lives from Iran's missile attack". Reuters. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ Baker, Peter (8 January 2020). "Trump Backs Away From Further Military Conflict With Iran". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Safi, Michael (8 January 2020). "Iran's assault on US bases in Iraq might satisfy both sides". The Guardian.
- ^ "For Missile Warning in Iraq, Thank the Space Force". 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 110: Pentagon". France 24. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
NewAAwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).