In a televised address after the attack, US President Donald trump acknowledged the role played by "an early warning system” and credited it for preventing loss of life. According to a defence official, the president was referring to a radar network the US military has to search for enemy missiles.

The Post says that the advance warning gave military commanders enough time to get US troops into bunkers and dressed in protective gear. It added that the troops remained in their protected hideouts for hours after the strike.One official stated that at least some troops left the al-Asad air base in Western Iraq before the attack.“It’s not luck that no one got killed,” a second senior defense official said.

“Luck always plays a role. But military commanders on the ground made good judgment and had good response.In a televised address after the attack, US President Donald trump acknowledged the role played by "an early warning system” and credited it for preventing loss of life. According to a defence official, the president was referring to a radar network the US military has to search for enemy missiles.