It’s being reported now that Iraq has reversed itself and is saying this morning there were no Iraqi casualties last night in the Iranian missile attack:
Good morning. Iraq reversed, saying now no casualties..
Iraq PM knew of an attack around midnight. 80 min. prior. Attack started 1:20 am, same time Suleimani was killed.
Discrepancy in reaction between Zarif & Khamenei twitter. Trump to speak.
+Tragedy of Boeing crash in Iran
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 8, 2020
NATO confirms no casualties from missile strikes.
— Scott McGrew (@ScottMcGrew) January 8, 2020
As you can see from Karam’s tweet, Iran also informed Iraq of the pending attack well over an hour before it happened, giving them plenty of time to prepare. Apparently this came from Iraq’s Prime Minister:
– #Iraq PM Abdulmahdi: Informed abt attack in advance
– #Iran FM Zarif: Iraqi Govt/Armed Forces were informed
– IRGC media warn of further direct retaliation *if* US responds, hedges by calling it "beginning"
– AAH chief says retaliation for Soleimani "begun", time for Muhandis— Mohammad Ali Shabani (@mashabani) January 8, 2020
Iraqi Prime Minister says Iran gave Iraq a heads up that retaliation for Soleimani killing "had begun or it will start in a little while." He also claims that "at the exact same time" Iran told Iraq this, the US called Iraqis and told them rockets were falling. https://t.co/Oo0BvPmqRX
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) January 8, 2020
And remember, the report from last night was that the US was monitoring the launches of these missiles from Iran and thus US troops at these bases had time to vacate or take cover before they hit:
No US casualties reported yet, says US official. A total of 15 Iranian missiles hit al Asad and Irbil. 10 struck al Asad and only 1 hit Irbil. 4 blew up in flight. US was tracking the launches and personnel at the bases had advanced warning, giving them time to take cover.
— David Cloud (@DavidCloudLAT) January 8, 2020
To sum up…
UPDATE: US- #Iran
• Iran Informed #Iraq prior to attack!
• Total 15 🚀, 2 bases
• NO US/Iraq Casualties
• Khamenei: Not enough
• Flights restrictions for Gulf, Iraq
• Slovenia, Croatia leaving Iraq
• UK FM coming to Washington
• Trump 📞 Qatar https://t.co/yzjTjEAFiK— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 8, 2020
Regarding President Trump’s statement about the attack last night, it was just announced that it will come at 11AM this morning. We’ll bring it to you live.