This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/477350-iraq-airport-attack-missiles/

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iran-backed militia official killed at Baghdad airport in wake of 'missile' attack – report Iran-backed militia official killed at Baghdad airport in 'missile' attack
(32 minutes later)
Several rockets have landed at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. At least seven people, including a senior official with the Iran-backed militia, have reportedly been killed in an apparent US air strike.Several rockets have landed at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. At least seven people, including a senior official with the Iran-backed militia, have reportedly been killed in an apparent US air strike.
Three rockets came down inside the airport perimeter near the air cargo terminal early Friday morning local time, Iraqi security media cell reported. The resulting explosions set two vehicles alight, injuring civilians, it said. There have been conflicting reports as to how the incident unfolded, with the Iraqi security media cell reporting that three rockets came down inside the airport perimeter, near the air cargo terminal, early Friday morning local time. The resulting explosions set two vehicles alight, injuring civilians, it said.
The incident forced the airport into an immediate shutdown.
All inbound and outbound flights at the airport have been cancelled or diverted for the time being. However, the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said that two of its vehicles in a convoy passing by the airport were struck, in what apparently was a high-precision attack by the US forces.
There have also been unconfirmed reports of injuries among Iraqi military forces. The umbrella group of Shia militias integrated into the Iraq’s armed forces was blamed for the siege of the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.
While no party has claimed responsibility for the attack, there have been reports that a senior official of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was killed when a car he was riding in was targeted. The umbrella group of Shia militias integrated into the Iraq’s armed forces was blamed for the siege of the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. Muhammad Reza Al-Jabri, director of public relations at the PMF, was reportedly killed in the strike. The two vehicles were captured on video burning on the road leading to the airport.
Muhammad Reza Al-Jabri, Director of Relations at the PMF, was reportedly killed in the apparent raid targeting the two vehicles, captured on video burning on the road leading to the airport.
Hours after the attack, the PMF confirmed the death of its PR director, calling the alleged retaliatory sortie a “cowardly US bombing,” according to Reuters.Hours after the attack, the PMF confirmed the death of its PR director, calling the alleged retaliatory sortie a “cowardly US bombing,” according to Reuters.
There have been also reports that Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, PMU Deputy head, was injured in the raid as well. A total of five militia members and two “important guests” perished in the attack, Reuters reported, citing the Iran-backed militia sources.
A total of five militia members and two “important guests” they drove in two military vehicles, targeted in the bombing, perished in the attack, Reuters reported, citing the Iran-backed militia sources. There have been unconfirmed reports of injuries among Iraqi military forces. There have been also reports that Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, PMU deputy head, was injured in the raid as well.
The incident forced the airport into an immediate shutdown. All inbound and outbound flights at the airport have been cancelled or diverted for the time being.
The airport is located next to the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC), which is used by diplomats and intelligence operatives, as well as the US-led anti-terrorist coalition forces in Iraq. The area is also home to the joint counter-terrorism center.The airport is located next to the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC), which is used by diplomats and intelligence operatives, as well as the US-led anti-terrorist coalition forces in Iraq. The area is also home to the joint counter-terrorism center.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW The strikes come amid soaring tensions between Tehran and Washington over recent events in Iraq. A US air raid on an Iraqi Shia militia last weekend triggered a heated demonstration at the US embassy complex in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Tuesday. Protesters smashed windows, set fires and chanted anti-American slogans. Washington insisted the raid was in retaliation for a militia rocket attack on a US base in Kirkuk, and that Iran provided backing for the assault, though offering no evidence for the claim.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!