Iran conducts missile attacks in northern Iraq and Syria, asserting the destruction of an alleged Israeli intelligence facility
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards initiated ballistic missile strikes on what they claimed to be an Israeli Mossad spy base in northern Iraq and “anti-Iran terror groups” in Syria, escalating tensions in the region. The United States criticized the attacks, labeling them as “reckless” and imprecise. The Iranian forces asserted that the strike in Iraq targeted a major Israeli espionage center in Erbil, responding to alleged Israeli attacks that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders and members of the Iranian resistance front.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Erbil facility served as a hub for planning terrorist acts and espionage operations. Israel’s Prime Minister’s office has yet to respond to the IRGC’s claim. The IRGC also reported hitting several locations in Erbil, including sites associated with Iranian opposition groups. The Security Council of the Kurdistan region disclosed at least four civilians killed and six others injured in the attack, denouncing it as a violation of Kurdistan’s sovereignty.
Simultaneously, the IRGC fired ballistic missiles at bases of “anti-Iran terror groups” in Syria, linking them to recent dual bombings in Kerman during a memorial for Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani. The US described the missile attacks as “reckless and imprecise” and emphasized that no US personnel or facilities were targeted. The Kurdistan region Prime Minister condemned the attack and called on the international community to respond.
Concerns are rising that these actions could escalate into a broader regional conflict, potentially intertwining with ongoing conflicts such as Israel’s war in Gaza. The situation has heightened hostilities across the Middle East, with incidents involving Iran’s allies, US actions against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, and increased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The complex web of conflicts raises fears of a wider war with significant humanitarian, political, and economic consequences.
