Iran's Retaliatory Attack, Foreign Ministry "Closely Monitoring Situation"... Advises "Iraqi-Based Businesspeople to Refrain from Going Out"

Iraq and Syria Currently Under Black Alert 'Travel Ban'
Iran Attacks Al-Asad Airbase and Erbil Base in Iraq

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in Iraq. On the 8th (local time), the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile attacks on two U.S. military bases, escalating the situation.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the same day, "We are considering various possibilities and monitoring the situation," adding, "We plan to devise phased response measures." The official also said, "Since the locations where Korean companies operate are more than 150 km away, we judge there is no immediate impact," and "It is not yet a stage to consider evacuation."

There are about 1,570 Koreans staying in Iraq, most of whom are employees of construction companies that have secured various projects such as the Karbala oil refinery and the Bismaya new city.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is operating a task force established on the 5th and has activated a 24-hour emergency response system.

Through the Overseas Safety Travel website, a post titled "Missile Attack on U.S. Military Bases in Iraq" was published, stating, "As a U.S. counterattack is expected and additional armed conflicts may occur, Korean businesspeople in Iraq are advised to refrain from going out and to thoroughly secure their workplaces," and "If you are in dangerous areas such as near U.S. military bases, please evacuate immediately to a safe place."

It further urged, "At workplaces where many personnel are staying, please strengthen preparedness by reviewing emergency plans to protect our nationals in case the situation escalates."

Currently, a black alert, meaning 'travel prohibited,' has been issued for Iraq and Syria. The task force, during a meeting on the 5th, recommended Korean companies planning to send employees to Iraq with exceptional passport use permission to cancel or postpone their visits.

The U.S. and Iranian governments have each confirmed that Iran has launched missile attacks on U.S. military bases stationed in Iraq. The bases attacked by Iran were confirmed to be the Al Asad Airbase and Erbil base in Iraq. Jonathan Hoffman, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated on the day, "Dozens of missiles were launched from Iran toward U.S. military bases."

There have been no reports yet on casualties among U.S. forces. Spokesperson Hoffman only mentioned, "The U.S. military is assessing the damage." The Department of Defense stated, "The U.S. military will take necessary measures to protect the United States and its allies."

The Al Asad Airbase, located in Anbar Province in western Iraq, has housed U.S. troops since the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003. This base was also actively used in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), a Sunni Islamist militant group. Former U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Al Asad Airbase during Christmas in December 2018 to encourage the troops. The Erbil base was also once home to the Korean Zaytun Unit.

Iran named this operation "Martyr Soleimani." It clearly stated that this was retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, by U.S. forces. An official from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps appeared on Iranian state television and declared, "The Revolutionary Guard's fierce retaliation has begun."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.