This timeline is the second part of a timeline that goes back to 2017, see the first part here. It seeks to include details about rising US-Iran tensions and also Israel-Iran tensions.
2020
January 1
US deploys 100 Marines to Baghdad and sends 750 paratroopers to Middle East. Trump condemns attack on embassy and Pompeo says US will secure its personnel, “The attack today was orchestrated by terrorists – Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and Qays al-Khazali – and abetted by Iranian proxies – Hadi al Amari and Faleh al-Fayyad. All are pictured below outside our embassy.”
Report: “These 650 paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment deployed from Pope Army Airfield, N.C. today. The rest of brigade—some 3,000+ soldiers—are ‘ready to deploy,’ in coming days if needed, 82nd Airborne Division statement says.” 82nd Airborne personnel board C-17 Globemasters for the flight. US SecDef Mark Esper “The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world.”
US Special operations of CJTF:OIR: “We are here to help Iraq in its fight against Daesh. Rocket bombardment of coalition and Iraqi forces, and mob violence at US Embassy, orchestrated by Kataib Hezbollah, prevent us from assisting.”
US soldiers in Baghdad provide overwatch to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. US releases video of attack on the embassy.
Pompeo speaks with Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of #Qatar, Mohammed Al Thani, Netanyahu and Iraq’s Prime Minister. Pompeo “The attack today was orchestrated by terrorists – Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and Qays al-Khazali – and abetted by Iranian proxies – Hadi al Amari and Faleh al-Fayyad. All are pictured below outside our embassy.”
Khamenei says US taking revenge on PMU.
Interior Minister Yassin al-Yasiri “said that American attacks on an Iraqi militia had invited trouble. ‘These are the dangerous ramifications of this strike…What happened today is the danger that we were afraid of and that the Americans should have been afraid of’”.
Graffiti left behind on embassy reads “Soleimani is my leader”: “سليماني قائدي”
ISOF members of security forces arrive to guard US embassy.
January 2
US helicopters fly over Baghdad.
Major airlift of C-17s arrive in Middle East.
Press TV quotes Bahraini cleric claiming US raids are attack on Islamic Ummah.
January 3
Drone attack at Baghdad International Airport killed Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Trump ordered strike and claims it was to prevent attacks and prevent a war. Iran vows harsh revenge. Pompeo says US committed to de-escalation as US citizens leave Iraq. Iraq’s Parliament speaker condemns attack.
Esmail Qaani named Soleimani successor.
Israel on high alert after strike that killed Soleimani. “Israel’s foreign ministry and defence officials announced a high-security alert at Israel’s oversea delegations, fearing retaliation by Iran following the death of Soleimani.” Netanyahu returns from Greece and officials meet at military HQ in Tel Aviv. Israel concerned over tensions in north and Gaza.
Press TV runs full page mourning Soleimani.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq orders members to prepare for coming battle.
Hadi al-Amiri takes over Muhandis’ post as Vice President of the PMU.
State Department designates Asaib Ahl al-Haq as terrorist group. It says that Qais Khazali, who was designated in early December 2019, and AAH was responsible for 6,000 attacks on US forces.
Israel releases 2018 data, says it struck 54 targets in Syria.
Pompeo speaks to Iraqi Kurdistan region PM Masrour Barzani.
January 4
US forces report two small attacks: “At 7:46 International Zone took indirect fire that landed outside of Coalition facilities and potentially harmed Iraqi civilians. At 7:50 p.m. rockets landed in the vicinity of Balad Air Base.”
Pompeo speaks to Turkish FM, Iraqi President Salih, Bahraini Crown Prince, UAE Crown Prince and Netanyahu.
Thousands in Iraq mourn Soleimani and Muhandis.
January 5
Iraq votes for US troops leaving, Iraqi PM, who has resigned, argues US should leave.
Pompeo speaks to Qatar leader and India External Affairs Minister.
Massive crowds turn out in Iran for Soleimani funeral.
Only 130 Iraqi MPs arrive to vote for US leaving Iraq.
January 6
US military letter saying US repositioning force is leaked, US Chair of Joint Chiefs say it was a mistake. Defense Secretary Esper says US not leaving Iraq.
Iran FM Zarif says he met Soleimani weekly.
NATO suspends anti-ISIS operations in Iraq (first reported on January 4).
Pompeo speaks with Kuwait FM and Saudi Vice-Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman.
January 7
Iran vows revenge for Soleimani death, amid concerns US bases across region could be targeted. FM Zarif says it will be proportionate.
Dozens die in Soleimani funeral.
Masoud Barzani: “If the process of resolving the current issue in the Middle East region is in accordance to a path of reason and wisdom, we are certainly ready to cooperate. However, we can not be involved in any proxy wars.”
January 8
At 5am in the morning Baghdad time more than a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles strike Ayn al-Assad base and near Erbil International Airport.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Office says it was informed by Iran of the attack prior.
Did Iran avoid US casualties in rocket strike? US Chairman of Joint Chiefs says it “has more to do with the defensive techniques our forces used than it does with intent…Al-Asad is a big base. They put 11 large rockets with 1,000-pound, 2,000-pound warheads in it, but we took sufficient defensive measures.” Damage was done to “tentage, taxiways, the parking lot, a damaged helicopter, things like that. Nothing that I would describe as major,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper added. “No friendly casualties whether they’re U.S., coalition, contractor, etc.” Further assessment: Iran fired 16 ballistic missiles from 3 sites “intended to destroy vehicles & equipment & kill personnel,” US says. 11 targeted al Asad Air Base, 1 in Erbil, 4 failed.
Zarif: “Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
Trump speech indicates new sanctions, “Peace and stability cannot prevail in the Middle East as long as Iran continues to foment violence, unrest, hatred, and war. The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward.
Today, I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process.”
Two rockets land near Green Zone around midnight between January . US CJTFOIR: “The military Coalition confirms small rockets impacted near Baghdad’s International Zone, Jan. 8 at 11:45 p.m. (Baghdad Time). No Coalition casualties or damage to facilities.”
January 9
US assess damage after rocket fire at midnight.
Ryan Browne of CNN: In the days before General Suleimani’s death, (CIA Director) Ms. Haspel had advised Mr. Trump that the threat the Iranian general presented was greater than the threat of Iran’s response if he was killed, according to current & former American officials”
Content retrieved from: https://www.mideastcenter.org/post/us-iran-and-israel-iran-tensions-timeline-2020.
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