World War 3 news:: US snubbed in attempt to offload more missiles to Iraq

Defence Secretary Mark Esper said to journalists at the Pentagon: “We need the permission of the Iraqis, that’s one issue.” Pentagon leaders were quizzed on the brain injuries sustained by US troops in the recent missile attacks launched by Iran.

“In terms of would have-should have-could have in terms of if there was a Patriot battalion at al-Asad or Erbil or whatever, could they have shot down these [incoming ballistic missiles]?”

Army General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commented: “That’s what they’re designed to do, can’t say for certain.

“But that is exactly what they’re designed to do, is to shoot down incoming theatre ballistic missiles.”

The Iraqi government is reluctant to allow these Patriot systems into their country – and this underlines what some consider to be political tensions between the US and Iraq.

Iraq could feel the heat from Iran, following the US assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

General Milley told the press: “There’s mechanical pieces, the science of war, so to speak, of actually moving and bringing in Patriot batteries.

“A Patriot battalion is not a small organisation, it’s relatively large.

“So, the mechanics of it all have to be worked out, and that is, in fact, ongoing.”

READ MORE: World War 3 fury: The real extent of damage to troops revealed 

On Friday, the US admitted that 11 troops were being treated for concussion after an Iranian missile attack.

US forces were stationed at the Ain Al-Assad base when the strike occurred.

The attack was in retaliation for a drone strike by the US which killed Solemani.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas had suggested that 16 servicemen had suffered burns and shrapnel wounds.

The injured were now being treated at a hospital in Kuwait at camp Arifjan in Ahmed al-Jaber.

Captain Bill Urban, spokesman for US Central Command, said: “While no US service members were killed in the January 8 Iranian attack on Al-Assad air base, several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed.

“As a measure of caution, some had been taken to US facilities in Germany or Kuwait for “follow-on screening.”

He added: “When deemed fit for duty, the service members are expected to return to Iraq.

“The health and welfare of our personnel is a top priority and we will not discuss any individual’s medical status.”

Around 1,500 American personnel are believed to be deployed at Ain Al-Assad.

source: express.co.uk