Multiple Mortar Attacks On US Presence In Iraq, Hezbollah Warns Security Forces “Stay Away”

Update: There are unconfirmed reports that US aircraft have attacked Iranian positions near the eastern Syrian city of Al-Bukamal.

There are unconfirmed reports from Iranian sources that U.S. aircraft have attacked Iranian positions near the eastern Syrian city of Al-Bukamal.

— Evan Kohlmann (@IntelTweet) January 4, 2020

Fire can be seen in the distance after reports of airstrikes near Al-Bukamal and #Iraq pic.twitter.com/qJQiMigpzN

— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) January 4, 2020

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Summary:

Multiple ‘Katyusha’ unguided missiles/mortars fired into two regions near Baghdad.

Green Zone neighborhood in Baghdad, comes under mortar shell attack: 5 ppl wounded.

Balad airbase (hosts US troops) near Baghdad hit by missiles: 3 Iraqi soldiers wounded.

Explosion heard at Al-Kindi base in Mosul (which houses US troops): no details on injuries yet

Hezbollah warns Iraqi Security Forces to stay away from US bases.

Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah warning Iraqi Security Forces should stay away from US bases starting Sunday evening. pic.twitter.com/inW1zDgZMU

— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) January 4, 2020

As 1000s march in the streets of Baghdad to moutn the death of Soleimani, Al-Arabiya (and other local news sources) report rockets have landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where the US Embassy (among other things) is located.

Witnesses told Reuters that an explosion was heard in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad

Iraqi police sources: A Katyusha rocket landed inside the Green Zone [near the US Embassy] in Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/7ybzDMlNy9

— Hamoud_Mohammed (@news_hamoud) January 4, 2020

Dozens of US Apache helicopters seen overhead…

#BREAKING
Numerous U.S. helicopters in the air over #Baghdad, #Iraq.
After Rocket hits Baghdad's Green Zone. Entrance to the U.S. Embassy remains closed. pic.twitter.com/uEjA5irrve

— News flash (@BRNewsFlash) January 4, 2020

President Rouhani reportedly threatened a “lightning strike” against America…

Additionally, there are now reports that multiple rockets have struck Balad Airbase, located just north of Baghdad, that hosts US troops…

#BREAKING: Multiple rockets strike Balad Airbase north of #Baghdad housing #US troops.#Iraq #IranWar #Iran #Suleimani #MiddleEast #WWIII pic.twitter.com/ITbctAbDIF

— Evan Kokkinos (@evankokkinos97) January 4, 2020

#Update: Picture of inside the military base of Al-Kindi in #Mosul in #Kurdistan in #Iraq now being reported about 10 mortars hit inside the compound and around the compound. Reports also suggest that a number of #US troops are located at the base.#Iran pic.twitter.com/KWEnTb8Am5

— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) January 4, 2020

Meanwhile, Iraqi police have opened fire at armed PMU militiamen during the funeral procession.

Happened in #Baghdad, the counter-terrorism unit of #Iraq|i Police opened fire at armed #PMU militiamen during funeral of Abu-Mahdi al Muhandis & Qasem #Soleimani! pic.twitter.com/NYLNFADphr

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) January 4, 2020

via zerohedge