2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq explained

Conflict:2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
Partof:the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
Date:July 19 – September 22, 2019
Place:Iraq
Combatant1: Israel[1]
Combatant2: PMF
(IRGC)
Strength1:F-35I Adir[2]
(Alleged by Israel)
IAI Harop(alleged by Iran)
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:None
Casualties2:47 killed
2 injured
Casualties3:1 civilian killed
29 civilians injured
Listclass:hlist

The 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq began as unidentified drone or aircraft bombings of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq starting on 19 July 2019.[3] The strikes targeted Iranian proxy groups, based in Iraq, as well as IRGC operatives.

Several Iraqi, Iranian and Israeli officials have blamed Israel for the attacks, though Israel had initially neither confirmed nor denied its role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted responsibility for the attacks on 20 August 2019, claiming that "Iran is not immune anywhere".[4] Israel confirmed responsibility for the strikes on 22 August 2019, which was later followed by a US confirmation.

Timeline

Amirli strike

On 19 July 2019 unidentified drones bombed a base belonging to the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces base in Iraq, close to the town of Amirli. An airstrike wounded two Iranians after it struck a base that housed advisers from Iran and Lebanon, while a second strike hit a weapons depot, causing a large fire and the destruction of several ballistic missiles.[5] The US Central Command CENTCOM denied responsibility for the bombing.

Iran reported on July 30 that the attack had killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Abu Alfazl Sarabian.[6]

Camp Ashraf strike

On 27 July 2019 Camp Ashraf, one of the biggest bases in Iraq, was attacked by what Iraqi military sources described as one or more Israeli Air Force jets. The attack struck a consignment of ballistic missile launchers and living quarters of IRGC officers and PMF personnel. Some sources reported that up to 40 people were killed in the attack.[7] According to Iraqi and Iranian sources the attacks were carried out by Israeli F-35 aircraft.[8]

Southern Baghdad strike

Explosions rocked a PMF weapons depot in southern Baghdad on 12 August killing one and injuring 29 civilians.[9] A spokesman for Iraq's Interior Minister said that an examination of the warehouse showed that the explosion was not caused by an internal failure but by a third party that attacked the warehouse and caused a fire.[10] [11]

Iraq closed its airspace to all unauthorized flights on 13 August, including to the US coalition. Iraqi Prime Minister also ordered all military camps and munitions warehouses to be moved outside Iraqi cities following the explosions that killed one civilian and wounded 29.[12] [13]

30th Brigade's headquarters strike

On 17 August, unidentified warplanes targeted the 30th Brigade's headquarters, which is affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces.[14]

Balad strike

Blasts hit a PMF arms depot on 20 August close to the Balad Air Base. A PMF source said the arms depot was specifically targeted by an aerial bombardment.[15]

Al-Qa'im

On 25 August 2019 a PMF convoy was hit by two drones near the Syrian–Iraqi border town of Al-Qa'im, killing six, including a senior commander. PMF blamed Israel for the attack. It came as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was making a speech in response to an alleged Israeli attack at their stronghold in Dahieh, Lebanon.[16] [17]

Hit strike

On 20 September, loud explosions were reported at a warehouse near the city of Hit in Anbar Province, northwest of Baghdad. Sky News Arabic reported that after the blast, shells were launched into neighboring areas, indicating an arms depot may have been hit. Al-Arabiya also reported that the warehouse was used to store weaponry and belonged to the Popular Mobilization Forces. al-Arabiya quoted an Iraqi officer claiming there was a drone in the area at the time of the explosions.[18] As result of the explosions, 21 Iraqi militants of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed.[19]

Tafuf Brigade strike

On 22 September, violent explosions caused by airstrikes took place at a base belonging to "Liwa al-Tafuf" 13th Brigade of the Popular Mobilisation Units. An Iraqi security official told The New Arab that drones may have been used in the attack.[20]

Responsibility

On 22 August 2019 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had been carrying out operations against Iran in Iraq, saying "We are working against Iranian consolidation—in Iraq as well."[21] US officials also confirmed that Israel was behind the attacks later in the day.[22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Netanyahu confirms Israeli military operating in Iraq . https://web.archive.org/web/20190823080918/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/1566499526-netanyahu-confirms-israeli-military-operating-in-iraq . 2019-08-23 . live .
  2. News: In Major Shift, Israel Twice Struck Iranian Targets in Iraq 'Using F-35' . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822030202/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-twice-struck-iran-targets-in-iraq-using-f-35-1.7604353 . 2019-08-22 . live .
  3. News: Yeranian . Edward . July 19, 2019 . Drone Attack Hits Shiite Militia Base in Northern Iraq . Voice of America . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822073402/https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/drone-attack-hits-shiite-militia-base-northern-iraq . 2019-08-22.
  4. News: Ahren . Raphael . 20 August 2019 . Netanyahu hints Israel behind strikes on Iraq, says Iran not immune anywhere . The Times of Israel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905152056/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hints-israel-behind-strikes-on-iraq-says-iran-not-immune-anywhere/ . 2019-09-05.
  5. News: Drone targets base of Iran-backed militia in northern Iraq . Fox News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190724153300/https://www.foxnews.com/world/drone-targets-base-of-iran-backed-militia-in-northern-iraq . 2019-07-24.
  6. News: Iran admits a Revolutionary Guard commander killed in an 'Israeli attack' in Iraq on July 19 . Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190820023308/http://jcpa.org/iran-admits-a-revolutionary-guard-commander-killed-in-an-israeli-attack-in-iraq-on-july-19/ . 2019-08-20.
  7. News: Second Israeli attack on Iranian targets in E. Iraq reported by Iraqi sources . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822161735/https://www.debka.com/second-israeli-attack-on-iranian-targets-in-e-iraq-reported-by-iraqi-sources/ . 2019-08-22 . live .
  8. News: Joffre . Tzvi . Ahronheim . Anna . 30 July 2019 . Report: Israel launched two attacks on Iranian targets in Iraq in July . The Jerusalem Post . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190912231228/https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-expanding-attacks-against-Iranians-in-Syria-and-Iraq-report-597128 . 2019-09-12.
  9. News: Karam . Joyce . August 13, 2019 . Explosions at ammunition warehouse kill one and injure 29 in Baghdad . The National . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905002756/https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/explosions-at-ammunition-warehouse-kill-one-and-injure-29-in-baghdad-1.897639 . 2019-09-05.
  10. News: US and Israel are attacking Iranian targets in Iraq . Israel National News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822104413/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/267390 . 2019-08-22.
  11. News: Ari Gross . Judah . Rasgon . Adam . 14 August 2019 . Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike . The Times of Israel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816005044/https://www.timesofisrael.com/satellite-firm-says-images-of-bombed-iraqi-site-indicate-it-was-hit-in-airstrike/ . 2019-08-16.
  12. News: Iraq takes security measures following mysterious blasts blamed on Israel . The Times of Israel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816211022/https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraq-takes-security-measures-following-mysterious-blasts-blamed-on-israel/ . 2019-08-16.
  13. News: Iraq closes airspace even to US Coalition flights after suspected Israeli raid .
  14. News: Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901020829/https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/43546/Unidentified-warplanes-target-IMIS-HQ-sources . 2019-09-01 . live .
  15. News: Explosion rocks arms depot north of Iraq's Baghdad . Al Jazeera . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913224809/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/explosion-rocks-arms-depot-north-iraq-baghdad-190820171200992.html . 2019-09-13.
  16. News: Bakria . Yasmine . 26 August 2019 . As Hezbollah Leader Blasts Israel, Iran-backed Militias Struck on Iraq-Syria Border . Haaretz . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190826075331/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-hezbollah-leader-blasts-israeli-aggression-after-drones-crash-over-beirut-1.7739807 . 2019-08-26.
  17. News: Iraq paramilitary: Israel behind drone attack near Syria border . Al Jazeera . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190826105616/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/iraq-paramilitary-israel-drone-attack-syria-border-190825184711737.html . 2019-08-26.
  18. News: Blasts reported at Iraqi warehouse allegedly used by Iran-backed militia . Times of Israel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191206122633/https://www.timesofisrael.com/blasts-reported-at-alleged-iraqi-arms-depot-used-by-iran-backed-militia/ . 2019-12-06.
  19. News: Khoury . Jack . September 10, 2019 . Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot . Haaretz . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190911151457/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iraq/.premium-report-21-iraqi-militia-members-killed-in-explosion-in-iran-linked-arms-depot-1.7825290 . 2019-09-11.
  20. News: Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot .
  21. News: Netanyahu Confirms Israel Acting Against Iran in Iraq . Homadia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190826140135/https://hamodia.com/2019/08/22/netanyahu-confirms-israel-acting-iran-iraq/ . 2019-08-26.
  22. News: Tercatin . Rossella . 23 August 2019 . American officials confirm Israel behind strikes in Iraq – report . The Jerusalem Post . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913133856/https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/American-officials-confirm-Israeli-strikes-in-Iraq-report-599465 . 2019-09-13.

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