The Iranian missile attacks and the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752 explained in 800 words
There has been a lot of confusing, and at times conflicting, information posted on the internet over the past few days about the recent Iranian missile strikes on US forces in Iraq and the subsequent crash of Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) Flight PS752 in Iran.
Here’s all the background information you need to know about these incidents in 800 words:
The Iranian missile attacks
During the early morning hours of January 8, 2020, the Iranian government launched between 16 and 22 ballistic missiles at two US airbases in Iraq; Al Assad Airbase to the west of Baghdad and another in Irbil in the north of the country.
Iran conducted these attacks in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.
The 62-year-old Major General was widely popular among Iranians where his supporters viewed him as a “selfless hero fighting Iran’s enemies.” From the US’ perspective, he was a terrorist who had long been considered one of the most dangerous and potent figures in the region.
