Multiple rocket attacks at Taji kill 2 Americans and 2 Britisher
Two United States (U.S.) nationals and one British national have been killed and 12 have been injured, in multiple rocket attacks that struc the military base of Taji in Iraq on Wednesday evening, i.e., March 11, 2020.
A barrage of 15 Katyusha rockets hit the base at 7:35 p.m. local time. The Katyusha multiple rocket launcher is a type of rocket artillery first built and fielded by the Soviet Union in World War II. They deliver explosives to a target area more quickly than conventional artillery, but with lower accuracy and longer time to reload. They are fragile but are inexpensive and easy to produce.
On the basis of the weapons and the tactics used by the attackers, the U.S. believes that the attacks have been carried out by Iran backed militants in Iraq. This is the 22nd attack against U.S. military interests in Iraq since late October 2019.
According to Iraqi military, the rockets were launched from the Rashediya area of Northeast Baghdad. Iraqi forces have also found a truck few miles away from the base. The truck had a rocket launcher mounted in the back and 3 rockets still in the chambers. The U.S. has vowed to take revenge from the attackers.
Taking it to twitter, the U.S. Secretary of State – Mike Pompeo tweeted, “The U.S. military also said that Iraqi military has found a pickup truck with a rocket launcher mounted in the back and 3 rockets still in the chambers.”
Col. Myles B. Caggins, the official military Spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the 82-member coalition formed to defeat ISIS tweeted, “The Coalition @CJTFOIR confirms more than 15 small rockets impacted Iraq’s Camp Taji base hosting Coalition troops, March 11 at 7:35 p.m. (Iraq Time). Assessment and investigation ongoing, follow @OIRSpox & @SecMedCell for updates.”
The Coalition @CJTFOIR confirms more than 15 small rockets impacted Iraq’s Camp Taji base hosting Coalition troops, March 11 at 7:35 p.m. (Iraq Time). Assessment and investigation ongoing, follow @OIRSpox & @SecMedCell for updates. https://t.co/oNgNfCEYG7
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) March 11, 2020
He also tweeted, “UPDATE: 3 Coalition personnel were killed during a rocket attack on Camp Taji, March 11. Names of personnel are withheld pending next of kin notification. Camp Taji is an Iraqi base that hosts @CJTFOIR personnel for anti-ISIS training & advising missions. Full statement below.”
UPDATE: 3 Coalition personnel were killed during a rocket attack on Camp Taji, March 11. Names of personnel are withheld pending next of kin notification. Camp Taji is an Iraqi base that hosts @CJTFOIR personnel for anti-ISIS training & advising missions. Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/tDwxNwqNOZ
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) March 11, 2020
A media statement from the coalition read, “Three Coalition personnel were killed during a rocket attack on Camp Taji, Iraq, March 11. The names of the personnel are withheld pending next of kin notification, in accordance with national policies.”
The statement added, “Approximately 12 additional personnel were wounded during the attack. The attack is under investigation by the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. Camp Taji is an Iraqi base that hosts Coalition personnel for training and advising missions.”
For the records, the tensions between Iran and U.S. hit a new high when U.S. forces killed the Iranian Major General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Commander of its Quds Force – Qasem Soleimani in the air raid on January 3, 2020. The air raid was carried out on the orders of President of U.S. – Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.
Post this, the Supreme Leader of Iran – Ali Khamenei vowed to take revenge from the U.S. In retaliation, Iran launched 22 missiles at 2 Airbases in Iraq on January 8, 2020, which housed the U.S. troops After the attacks, Trump promised that U.S. will not respond with military but will rather impose serious and heavy economic sanctions on Iran.
Separately, Iran also admitted unintentionally shooting down PS752, a Ukrainian International Airlines Flight, as it thought the plane belonged to U.S. forces. All the 167 passengers and 9 crew members on board were killed. Later, Iraq asked U.S. to withdraw its forces from their nation but the latter declined to do so.
As of now, 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq and the legal status of US troops in the country remains unclear.
