ERBIL, Iraq — Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched ballistic missiles on Monday, targeting a spy base in northern Iraq belonging to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and “anti-Iran terror groups” in Syria. This escalation of hostilities further raises concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.
The United States condemned the strikes, describing them as “reckless” and imprecise. Iranian forces claimed that the midnight missile attack in Iraq destroyed one of Israel’s main espionage headquarters in the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that this headquarters had been involved in developing espionage operations and planning terrorist acts in the region and Iran.
The IRGC also said they targeted several locations in Erbil, including sites of Iranian opposition groups. However, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that there are no Mossad-affiliated centers in Erbil and considered the strikes a violation of international law. He plans to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council.
At least four civilians were killed and six others injured in the attack, according to the Security Council of the Kurdistan region. Additionally, a large villa belonging to a well-known Kurdish businessman was destroyed, although it is unclear if it was an intended target.
The Security Council of the Kurdistan region criticized Iran’s actions, stating that the attack undermined the sovereignty of the region and Iraq. They emphasized that the Kurdistan region had never posed a threat to any party.
In a separate incident, the IRGC fired ballistic missiles at bases of “anti-Iran terror groups” in Syria. They claimed these targets were involved in recent dual bombings in the city of Kerman during a memorial for Qasem Soleimani, the slain Quds Force Commander. ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts, the deadliest attack in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
The United States expressed initial concerns about the missile attacks, deeming them reckless and imprecise. However, it clarified that no US personnel or facilities were targeted and that it would continue assessing the situation.
The recent attacks by Iran and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raise fears of a wider-scale war in the Middle East. The relentless bombing by Israel in response to terror attacks by Hamas has caused significant casualties and devastation in Gaza.
The conflict has also heightened tensions across the region, with Iran’s allies and proxies launching attacks against Israeli forces and its allies. The US has previously targeted Iran-backed groups in the region, and fighting has intensified between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah along the Lebanon border.
Overall, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with each action and retaliation further exacerbating the risk of a full-scale war with grave humanitarian, political, and economic consequences.