Abuja (Precise Post) – The Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on U. S Ain al Assad air base in Iran after the killing of Qassem Suleiman has left 139 persons dead with another 146 persons sustaining varying decrees of injury, News Express has quoted secret memo as revealing.
Recall that President Donald Trump had in his address after the retaliatory attack, claimed that there was no casualty,
But the US military on Thursday admitted that it treated 11 of its troops for symptoms of concussion after an Iranian missile attack.
However, a secret memo from the Office of the Chief Management Officer, United States Department of Defence sighted by News Express disclosed that the US suffered 285 casualties during the missile attack, comprising 139 dead and 146 injured.
The memo, dated January 13, 2020, was signed by Chief DoD FOIA Policy, James P. Hogan, and addressed to The Honourable Bennie G. Thompson, Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, House of Representatives. It also admitted “extensive damage to 15 helicopters including 1 Blackhawk, 2 cargo aircrafts and 3 M-1 Predator drones”; “extensive damage to Base Command Center, 3 hangars, 3 barracks and 10 military tents”; and “relative damage to Air Traffic Control Tower and base’s runway”.
The memo reads:
“Dear Congressman Thompson,
“This is in response to you January 10, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal, concerning Iran’s missile strike on US Ain al Assad air base in Iraq on January 8th and its subsequent damages and casualties.
“Following detailed examination of US Ain al Assad air base by DoD special investigative team, concluding estimates are as follows:
Total number of casualties: 285 (139 deceased, 146 injured).
Extensive damage to 15 helicopters including 1 Blackhawk, 2 cargo aircrafts and 3 M-1 Predator drones.
Extensive damage to Base Command Center, 3 hangars, 3 barracks and 10 military tents.
Relative damage to Air Traffic Control Tower and base’s runway
“Initial assessment indicate mentioned damages will cause total impairment of Ain al Assad air base activities.”
Copied Office of Information Policy (OIP), United States Department of Justice, Office of FOIA
•Footage of the Jan. 8, 2020 Iranian missile attack on US Ain al Assad air base in Iraq
Source: News Express
