Tension rises again in the Middle East: Iran hits Israeli intelligence in Iraq
Last night, missile and drone attacks were reported in various locations in the city of Erbil, Iraq. Iran claimed to have struck the “main headquarters of Mossad with ballistic missiles” in Erbil in retaliation for Israel’s attacks.
As tension escalates in the Middle East due to the conflict in Gaza, explosions were heard last night in several areas, including near the US Consulate General in Erbil and the US-led coalition base near Erbil International Airport.
It was reported that 4 civilians lost their lives and 6 others were injured in the attacks conducted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on numerous civilian settlements in Erbil last night. Meanwhile, 3 UAVs targeting the US-led coalition base in Erbil were reportedly shot down.
Iran announced that it targeted the headquarters of the Israeli foreign intelligence agency Mossad in Erbil with ballistic missiles as part of its attacks on the headquarters of terrorist groups and spies in the region. The statement by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that in addition to targets belonging to the ISIS terrorist organization in Syrian territory, the headquarters of Mossad in Erbil, Iraq, was also targeted with ballistic missiles.
REPRISAL AGAINST ISRAELI ATTACKS
The attacks, claimed to be in response to Israel’s targeting of commanders of the Revolutionary Guard and Iran-backed militia groups, were described as the destruction of “the main espionage headquarters of Mossad in Erbil, which serves as the central planning hub for espionage activities and terrorist acts in Iran.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that it targeted the headquarters of Mossad in Erbil in response to the missile attacks on the headquarters of terrorist groups and spies by Israel. Additionally, it was reported that ISIS targets in Syria were bombed with ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
The attacks were said to be carried out in response to various incidents, including a suicide bombing claimed by ISIS in Kerman, an attack targeting security forces in Rask, and an attack in Syria that resulted in the death of senior Revolutionary Guard commander Razi Musevi.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasir Kenani stated that Tehran respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries but also utilizes its “legitimate and legal right” to deter national security threats.
STATEMENT FROM KRG
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reported that 4 civilians lost their lives in the attacks claimed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, dismissing the allegations used as a pretext for the attacks as “baseless.” The statement emphasized that the attacks constituted a “clear violation of the sovereignty” of Iraq and the KRG, urging the central government of Iraq and the international community not to remain silent in the face of this crime.
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned the ballistic missile attacks, stating that they would work to stop these ruthless attacks.
The central Iraqi government protested the attacks by summoning the Iranian chargé d’affaires.
Meanwhile, the United States also condemned the missile attacks by Iran on Erbil. The White House stated that no US personnel or facilities were targeted in the missile attacks.
