Iran launched multiple missiles into eastern Syria early Monday targeting militants allegedly involved in the September 22 attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, according to state media.
Six ballistic missiles were launched from Kermanshah, Iran, and hit targets in the Al Bukamal district of eastern Syria, the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported, citing a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Seven military drones also fired missiles into the area, the statement added.
The strikes hit the headquarters of “takfiri terrorists,” or Sunni extremists, according to the statement. The semi-official Fars News cited an unnamed Iranian commander vowing further attacks as “revenge for the people of Ahvaz.”
The Al Bukamal district, which lies east of the Euphrates river, is one of ISIS’ last remaining positions. US-backed Kurdish forces have been battling the group in the region. Col. Sean Ryan, the spokesperson for the US-led coalition against ISIS, confirmed the strike but said no coalition forces “were in danger.”
The Iranian missile attack comes days after a US intelligence assessment report concluded that Iran could be planning a strike against US military forces and interests in Syria and other positions in the region.
“Iranian forces did conduct no notice strikes last night and we see open source reports stating that they were targeting militants it blamed for the recent attack on an Iranian military parade in the Middle Euphrates River Valley,” said Ryan in a statement. “At this time, the Coalition is still assessing if any damage occurred and no Coalition forces were in danger.”
The missiles had “death to America,” “death to Israel” and “death to the house of Saud” written on them, according to Fars News, which also released video showing the launching of the missiles.
Iran has blamed the Ahvaz attack, which killed 29 people and wounded 70 others, on the United States and its regional ally, Saudi Arabia. It accused both countries of supporting “foreign mercenaries” behind the attack.
“The government is ready to counter any action by the US, and the Americans will regret this,” said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a statement on his official website.
Both Saudi Arabia and the US have denied involvement in the Ahvaz attack.
US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed the threats as “rhetoric.” “He can blame us all he wants; the thing he’s got to do is look in the mirror,” Haley told CNN’s State of the Union.
Multiple individuals were killed or injured in Monday’s strike, IRNA reported without specifics.
“Security of the Iranian people is the Armed Forces’ redline and the IRGC spares no efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the IRGC statement said, according to IRNA.
Iran fires missiles into Syria over attack
Iran fires missiles into Syria over attack
Iran fires missiles into Syria over attack 00:33
(CNN)Iran launched multiple missiles into eastern Syria early Monday targeting militants allegedly involved in the September 22 attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, according to state media.
Six ballistic missiles were launched from Kermanshah, Iran, and hit targets in the Al Bukamal district of eastern Syria, the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported, citing a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Seven military drones also fired missiles into the area, the statement added.
The strikes hit the headquarters of “takfiri terrorists,” or Sunni extremists, according to the statement. The semi-official Fars News cited an unnamed Iranian commander vowing further attacks as “revenge for the people of Ahvaz.”
The Al Bukamal district, which lies east of the Euphrates river, is one of ISIS’ last remaining positions. US-backed Kurdish forces have been battling the group in the region. Col. Sean Ryan, the spokesperson for the US-led coalition against ISIS, confirmed the strike but said no coalition forces “were in danger.”
The Iranian missile attack comes days after a US intelligence assessment report concluded that Iran could be planning a strike against US military forces and interests in Syria and other positions in the region.
“Iranian forces did conduct no notice strikes last night and we see open source reports stating that they were targeting militants it blamed for the recent attack on an Iranian military parade in the Middle Euphrates River Valley,” said Ryan in a statement. “At this time, the Coalition is still assessing if any damage occurred and no Coalition forces were in danger.”
Iran accuses Saudi Arabia, UAE of financing military parade attackers
Iran accuses Saudi Arabia, UAE of financing military parade attackers
The missiles had “death to America,” “death to Israel” and “death to the house of Saud” written on them, according to Fars News, which also released video showing the launching of the missiles.
Iran has blamed the Ahvaz attack, which killed 29 people and wounded 70 others, on the United States and its regional ally, Saudi Arabia. It accused both countries of supporting “foreign mercenaries” behind the attack.
“The government is ready to counter any action by the US, and the Americans will regret this,” said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a statement on his official website.
Both Saudi Arabia and the US have denied involvement in the Ahvaz attack.
US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed the threats as “rhetoric.” “He can blame us all he wants; the thing he’s got to do is look in the mirror,” Haley told CNN’s State of the Union.
Multiple individuals were killed or injured in Monday’s strike, IRNA reported without specifics.
🔴🎥گزارشی از Ù…ØÙ„ شلیک موشک‌های #سپاه علیه تروریست‌ها در #سوریه pic.twitter.com/O9aepyr6rm
— خبرگزاری Ùارس (@FarsNews_Agency) October 1, 2018
“Security of the Iranian people is the Armed Forces’ redline and the IRGC spares no efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the IRGC statement said, according to IRNA.
Iran vows to punish perpetrators
Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei accused Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of financing the perpetrators and threatened to “harshly punish” the masterminds.
“According to the reports, this cowardly act was committed by the same people who are saved by the Americans whenever they are trapped in Syria and Iraq and whose hands are in the pockets of Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” Khamenei said, according to his official website.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said “official incitement against the UAE in Iran is unfortunate” and that “Tehran’s accusations are baseless.”
The September 22 parade was part of nationwide celebrations in Iran to mark the 30th anniversary of the end of its eight-year war with Iraq.
Gunmen opened fire on armed forces marching inside a park as well as spectators who had gathered to watch the parade, Iranian armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi told Mehr, a semi-official Iranian news agency.
Source » cnn