Chinese company MizarVision today released commercial satellite images showing several large plumes of black smoke rising from Kuwait's Ali Al Salem airbase after Iran's retaliatory strike on 28/2. One plume appeared to originate from a fuel depot. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also stated that Iran's missile strike on 28/2 caused significant damage to the runway at Ali Al Salem base.
Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, spokesperson for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, confirmed that Ali Al Salem base was targeted by several Iranian ballistic missiles. He added that Kuwait's air defense forces successfully intercepted the threats, with debris from the interception falling in the surrounding area.
 |
Satellite image of Ali Al Salem base after Iran's strike on 28/2. *Photo: MizarVision* |
US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, stated on 28/2 that its forces "successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks." CENTCOM reported, "there are no reports of US combat casualties. Damage to US facilities was minimal and did not impact operational capabilities."
Ali Al Salem base is a crucial facility, hosting the US 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which Washington describes as "a key airlift hub and gateway for projecting combat power for allied and coalition forces in the region." Italian soldiers have also been stationed at the airport since 2019 for missions against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. Tajani confirmed that all Italian air force personnel at the base were safe, having been in shelters during the attack.
 |
Targets Iran struck in retaliation against the US and Israel on 28/2. *Graphic: CNN* |
The Iranian strike came in retaliation after US and Israeli forces launched an attack on Iran on the morning of 28/2. That operation targeted defense and intelligence facilities, along with numerous senior officials and generals. Informed sources indicated the US and Israeli attack was "jointly planned for many months."
Following the US-Israeli operation, Iran quickly announced a retaliatory operation targeting Israeli territory and numerous US bases in several Middle Eastern countries. This response caused infrastructure damage. Tehran asserted its targets were Washington's forces, not the territories of neighboring nations.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, War Zone, France24)
