News of War Staff Writer
A view of a damaged building following missile attacks, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
Iran Strikes Alleged Israeli Espionage Centre in Iraqi Kurdistan and Targets IS in Syria
The Revolutionary Guards of Iran announced their attack on what they described as Israel's "spy headquarters" in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, as reported by state media late on Monday. Alongside this, the elite force also launched strikes in Syria targeting the Islamic State.
These strikes are a part of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have been growing since the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas commenced on 7 October. This conflict has seen involvement from Iran's allies across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
"In response to the recent atrocities of the Zionist regime, resulting in the deaths of commanders of the Guards and the Axis of Resistance, we have destroyed a principal Mossad espionage centre in Iraq's Kurdistan region with ballistic missiles," stated the Guards.
Reuters has been unable to independently confirm these reports. Attempts to contact Israeli government officials for comments were unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, Iraq expressed strong condemnation of Iran's "aggression" in Erbil, which led to civilian casualties in residential areas, as per a statement from the country's foreign ministry.
The Iraqi government intends to take all legal actions against these assaults, which are seen as violations of Iraq's sovereignty and its people's security. This includes filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, the statement added.
Iran had previously pledged retribution for the killing of three members of the Guards in Syria last month, including a high-ranking commander, who was serving as a military advisor there.
The conflict, which began with Hamas's incursion into Israeli territory on 7 October and subsequent Israeli bombing campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, has resulted in the deaths of over 130 fighters from Hezbollah, backed by Iran, in Lebanon.
"We assure our nation that the Guards' offensive operations will continue until every drop of our martyrs' blood is avenged," the Guards' statement affirmed.
The Guards also mentioned launching ballistic missiles in Syria, targeting those responsible for terrorist activities against Iran, including Islamic State members. These strikes were in addition to the ones in a residential area northeast of Erbil, near the U.S. consulate.
Reuters again notes the lack of independent verification of these reports.
US CONDEMNS ERBIL ATTACK AS 'RECKLESS'
The U.S. State Department denounced the attacks near Erbil as "reckless." However, officials stated that no U.S. facilities were targeted and there were no American casualties.
"We monitored the missiles, which landed in Northern Iraq and Northern Syria. No U.S. personnel or facilities were in danger," said Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.
"We will keep evaluating the situation, but initial signs suggest these strikes were reckless and imprecise," she added, emphasising the U.S.'s support for Iraq's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Earlier in the month, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for two explosions in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman, which resulted in nearly 100 deaths and numerous injuries at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.
Iran, supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel, accuses the United States of endorsing what it terms Israeli offences in Gaza. The U.S. has expressed its support for Israel in its campaign but has voiced concerns over the casualties of Palestinian civilians.
'CRIME AGAINST KURDISH PEOPLE'
Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, in a statement from his office, labelled the Erbil attack a "crime against the Kurdish people."
The Kurdistan government's security council reported that at least four civilians died and six were injured in the Erbil strikes, condemning the attack as a "crime."
Peshraw Dizayee, a multimillionaire Kurdish businessman, and several family members were among those killed when at least one rocket hit their home, according to Iraqi security and medical sources. Dizayee, known for his close ties to the ruling Barzani clan, was involved in significant real estate projects in Kurdistan.
Additionally, one rocket impacted the house of a senior Kurdish intelligence official, another struck a Kurdish intelligence centre, and air traffic at Erbil airport was temporarily suspended, as per security sources.
Iran has previously conducted strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, citing it as a base for Iranian separatist groups and agents of Israel, its arch-enemy.