Contrary to its claims, the United States of America suffered heavy casualties during the January 8, 20120 missile strike on US Ain al Assad air base in Iraq by Iran in retaliation for the January 3 killing of Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the elite Quds force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

US President Donald Trump and the US military had said that there were no casualties after the strike 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, copied Office of Information Policy (OIP), United States Department of Justice, Office of FOIA, 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.”

Update news