World reacts after Iran fires missiles at US forces in Iraq
Iran launched missile attacks on US-led forces in Iraq early on Wednesday in retaliation for the US drone strike on Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani whose killing last week raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East, Reuters reported.
Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from its territory against at least two Iraqi facilities hosting US-led coalition personnel.
US President Donald Trump tweeted late Tuesday that "all is well" and said he would make a statement on the attacks on Wednesday in Washington, DC.
Below are reactions from around the world presented by Al Jazeera.
United Kingdom
Britain condemned Iranian missile attacks on military bases in Iraq that hosted US-led coalition forces including British personnel.
"We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition - including British - forces," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.
"We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation."
Iraq
Iraq's military said there were no Iraqi casualties among its forces in Wednesday's 22-missile attack on the two military installations.
"Iraq was subjected between 1:45 and 2:45 this morning of 8 January 2020 to bombardment by 22 missiles; 17 missiles fell on Ain al-Asad air base including two that did not explode ... and five on the city of Erbil that all fell on coalition headquarters. No casualties among Iraqi forces were recorded," the statement said.
Japan
Japan urged governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following the missile strikes. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to call off a visit this weekend to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman.
Japan is sending a warship to the Gulf to help safeguard Japanese vessels and oil tankers travelling through the area.
Australia
Following the attacks, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said all his country's troops and diplomatic staff in Iraq were safe.
Approximately 300 Australian defence personnel are stationed in Iraq.
Morrison said he had discussed the situation between the US and Iran with Trump on Tuesday during a call about the bushfires raging in Australia.
The Philippines
The Philippines has ordered its citizens to leave Iraq in the wake of the strikes by Iran, the Philippine foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
The department said there are 1,600 Philippine citizens working in Iraq, more than half in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq and the rest at US and other foreign facilities in Baghdad.
Pakistan
Pakistan has issued a statement advising citizens planning to visit Iraq to exercise "maximum caution".
"In view of recent developments and the prevailing security situation in the region, Pakistani nationals are advised to exercise maximum caution while planning visit to Iraq at this point," the statement read.
Denmark
The Danish armed forces said in a post on Twitter that No Danish soldiers were injured or killed in Wednesday's missile strike on the Al-Asad air base in Iraq.
Denmark has about 130 soldiers at the base as part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
India
India has advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notice.
Those already in the country have been told to be alert and avoid travelling around the country.
New Zealand
New Zealand's acting prime minister, Winston Peters, expressed concern over the escalation in hostilities between Iran and the US.
"Now is the time for restraint and de-escalation, and for diplomacy to take over....the government has been informed that all New Zealand personnel are as safe as they can be in these developing circumstances," Peters said.
New Zealand has 50 military personnel in Iraq, where Iran attacked two bases on Wednesday. Camp Taji, where most of those personnel are stationed, was not attacked, Peters said
Poland
Poland's defence minister said polish troops stationed in Iraq were not hurt during Wednesday's missile attacks.
"None of the Polish soldiers in Iraq were hurt in rocket attacks on Al-Asad and Erbil bases. We are in constant contact with the commander of the Polish Military Contingent in Iraq," Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter.
China
China's Foreign Ministry also calls for restraint.
Related news
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- Iran missile attacks target U.S. forces in Iraq; Trump says 'All is well!'