2024 Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria explained

2024 Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria
Partof:the Kurdish–Iranian conflict, the Iran–Israel proxy conflict, and the Iranian-led attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria
Type:Missile and drone attack
Location:Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Location2:Taltita, Idlib Governorate, Syria
Planned By:Iranian government
Target:Headquarters of Israel's Mossad in Iraq (Iranian claim, rejected by Iraq and Israel) and terrorist strongholds in Syria
Time:11:36p.m.
Executed By:Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Fatalities:4 civilians
Injuries:17 civilians

On 15 January 2024, Iran carried out a series of aerial and drone strikes within Iraq and Syria, claiming that it had targeted the regional headquarters of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and several strongholds of terrorist groups in response to the Kerman bombings on 3 January, for which the Islamic State took responsibility.[1] The city of Erbil, which is the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, was the target of 11 of the 15 total missiles that were fired. The remaining four missiles were directed at Syria's Idlib Governorate, targeting areas held by the Syrian opposition.[2] [3] In Erbil itself, the Iranian attack killed four civilians and injured 17 others.[4] Iran's claims of having targeted the Israeli presence in Kurdistan and terrorist groups in Syria were rejected by the Iraqi government and the autonomous Kurdish government, both of which condemned the attack.[5]

Background

See main article: 2024 Kerman bombings. On 3 January 2024 a commemorative ceremony marking the assassination of Qasem Soleimani at his grave in Kerman, Iran, was attacked by two bomb explosions. The attacks killed at least 94 people, and injured 284 others. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attacks.[6] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, pledged a "hard response" to the attack and declared that those responsible "will be the definite target of repression and just punishment from now on".[7]

Attacks

Iraqi Kurdistan

The attack in Erbil targeted the residence of Peshraw Dizayee, the CEO of Empire World, a real estate development company,[8] killing him along with his daughter, their housekeeper, and businessman Karam Mikhail. Erbil International Airport was temporarily closed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly took responsibility.[9] In addition, coalition forces shot down three drones near the airport.[10] Tasnim News Agency revealed that four ballistic missiles launched from Kermanshah province and seven others fired from West Azarbaijan province were used during the attack,[11] during which Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missiles were reportedly used.[12]

Syria

The IRGC claimed it also struck Islamic State forces in northwestern Syria with four missiles, specifically targeting the perpetrators of the 2024 Kerman bombings on 3 January.[13] [6] Tasnim News Agency reported that the IRGC Aerospace Force launched four Kheibar Shekan medium-range ballistic missiles from Darkhoveyn District in Khuzestan province at midnight, traveling a distance of to hit targets near Taltita in Idlib Governorate.[14]

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Iran was unlikely to have conducted its attack in Syria using medium-range ballistic missiles given on the limited scale of damage. Instead, the observatory stated that the attack was likely carried out by Iranian-backed groups situated in Aleppo Governorate in Syria, approximately 30km (20miles) from the impact zone.[15]

Aftermath

See main article: 2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan. A day after the attack in Iraq and Syria, Iran carried out a similar series of missile strikes in Pakistan, claiming that it had targeted Jaish ul-Adl, a Baloch militant group that had claimed responsibility for the 2019 Khash–Zahedan suicide bombing in Iran.[16] [17] These strikes were condemned by the Pakistani government, which expelled the Iranian ambassador from Islamabad and stated that the strikes had killed two children in Balochistan, subsequently vowing to respond to Iran's violation of Pakistani airspace.[18]

Reactions

Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan

An Iraqi government source said that it was not informed in advance of the attack and that an emergency meeting would be held. He described the attack as a flagrant violation of the Iranian–Iraqi agreement. Moreover, the Kurdistan Region called on the Iraqi government and the international community not to remain silent regarding the attack on Erbil. Following the attack, Iraq recalled its ambassador in Tehran for consultations and summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Baghdad.[19] [20]

Iran

The IRGC said that the attack was a response to the Israeli assassination of "resistance elements".[21]

Other countries

The attacks were condemned by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and the Netherlands.[22] Pope Francis condemned the attacks, stating "good relations between neighbors are not built with such actions, but with dialogue and cooperation".[23]

International organizations

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg denounced the attack on Erbil during a conversation with Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.[24] The Arab League and the Arab Parliament condemned the attack, calling it an "assault on Arab National security".[25]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hafezi . Parisa . Azhari . Timour . 16 January 2024 . Iran's Guards attack Israel's 'espionage centers' in Iraq, state media says . live . https://archive.today/20240119114400/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-revolutionary-guards-say-they-have-attacked-espionage-centers-iraqs-erbil-2024-01-15/ . 19 January 2024 . Reuters.
  2. News: Malekian . Somayeh . Shalvey . Kevin . US condemns Iran for missile strikes in Iraq and Syria . 16 January 2024 . ABC News . 16 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117162135/https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-condemns-iran-missile-strikes-iraq-syria/story?id=106404935 . live .
  3. Web site: Katy . Bader . 15 January 2024 . Explosions reported near US Consulate in Iraq; Iran claims responsibility . . 15 January 2024 . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115221549/https://abcnews.go.com/International/explosions-reported-us-consulate-iraq-iran-claims-responsibility/story?id=106390671 . live .
  4. News: Bechocha . Julian . 16 January 2024 . IRGC claims deadly ballistic missile strikes on Erbil . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119052046/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/150120241 . 19 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . Rudaw.
  5. News: 17 January 2024 . Iran's attack on Erbil triggers Iraqi anger, widespread condemnation . live . https://archive.today/20240120000803/https://thearabweekly.com/irans-attack-erbil-triggers-iraqi-anger-widespread-condemnation . 20 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . The Arab Weekly.
  6. Web site: Iran's Revolutionary Guard attacks 'anti-Iranian' groups in Iraq's Erbil . 16 January 2024 . Al Jazeera . en . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170656/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/15/irans-revolutionary-guard-attack-anti-iranian-groups-in-iraqs-erbil . live .
  7. Web site: رهبر انقلاب: جنایتکاران بدانند که از هم اکنون آماج قطعی سرکوب و مجازات عادلانه خواهند بود . Leader of the Revolution: Criminals should know that from now on they will be the target of repression and fair punishment . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240109233729/https://www.isna.ir/news/1402101309556/%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%A8 . 9 January 2024 . Iranian Students' News Agency. 3 January 2024 .
  8. Web site: 15 January 2024. IRGC strikes 'spy headquarters' in Erbil with ballistic missiles. Rudaw Media Network. 15 January 2024. 15 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240115223523/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/150120241. live.
  9. Web site: Barnea . Yuval . 15 January 2024 . IRGC attack US consulate in Iraq as tensions between the US, Iran rise . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115225451/https://www.jpost.com//breaking-news/article-782321 . 15 January 2024 . 15 January 2024 . The Jerusalem Post.
  10. Web site: Bader . Katy . 16 January 2024 . Explosions reported near US Consulate in Iraq; Iran claims responsibility . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115221549/https://abcnews.go.com/International/explosions-reported-us-consulate-iraq-iran-claims-responsibility/story?id=106390671 . 15 January 2024 . 15 January 2024 . ABC News.
  11. Web site: 16 January 2024 . Iran's IRGC says it hit alleged Mossad, ISIS targets in Iraq, Syria with 24 missiles . live . https://archive.today/20240116150922/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/01/16/Iran-s-IRGC-says-it-hit-alleged-Mossad-ISIS-targets-in-Iraq-Syria-with-24-missiles . 16 January 2024 . 16 January 2024 . Al Arabiya.
  12. Web site: 16 January 2024 . Iran Strikes Israeli "Spy Headquarters" In Iraq As Regional Tensions Mount . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116090420/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-launches-missile-attacks-on-terrorist-targets-in-syria-4870264 . 16 January 2024 . 16 January 2024 . NDTV . Agence France-Presse.
  13. Web site: Bechocha . Julian . 16 January 2024 . IRGC claims deadly ballistic missile strikes on Erbil . 16 January 2024 . . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115235417/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/150120241 . live .
  14. Web site: General Gives Details of IRGC Missile Attacks on Mossad, Daesh Targets . Tasnim News Agency . 16 January 2024 . 16 January 2024 . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116124251/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/01/16/3024067/general-gives-details-of-irgc-missile-attacks-on-mossad-daesh-targets . live .
  15. News: Iran's ballistic missiles on Syrian territory...media messages from America and Western intelligence . 17 January 2024 . SOHR . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117110854/https://www.syriahr.com/en/322932/ . live .
  16. News: Shahid . Saleem . Iran 'attacks militant bases in Panjgur' . 17 January 2024 . DAWN.COM . 17 January 2024 . en . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117024344/https://www.dawn.com/news/1806404 . live .
  17. News: Borger . Julian . 17 January 2024 . Iran strikes 'militant bases' in Pakistan in latest Middle East flashpoint . 17 January 2024 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117004251/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/iran-launches-airstrikes-on-sunni-militant-bases-in-pakistan . live .
  18. Web site: Gambrell . Jon . Ahmed . Munir . 16 January 2024 . Iran attacks alleged militant bases in Pakistan; Islamabad says 'unprovoked' strikes kill 2 children . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117005506/https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-militant-bases-attack-05c7530d66fb05dd6f2868527003ba2d . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . Associated Press . en.
  19. Web site: Salim . Salar . Alibam . Omar . 16 January 2024 . Iraq recalls ambassador, summons Iran's chargé d'affaires over strikes in Irbil . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117065756/https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-iran-strike-7939f337454578cc20da8ac15fc5b457 . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . Associated Press.
  20. News: Iraq vows to take Iran to UN after attack on Israeli 'spy base. The Guardian. 16 January 2024. Wintour. Patrick. 17 January 2024. 17 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240117114204/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/iran-claims-it-has-attacked-an-israeli-spy-base-in-kurdistan. live.
  21. Web site: https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1216039/%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-3-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF . fa:حمله شدید موشکی سپاه به اربیل عراق و سوریه+ فیلم/ سپاه 3 اطلاعیه مهم صادر کرد . IRGC's heavy missile attack on Erbil, Iraq and Syria + video/IRGC issued 3 important announcements . tabnak.ir . fa . 15 January 2024 . 19 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118112628/https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1216039/%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-3-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF . live .
  22. News: Global Outcry Erupts Over Iran's Missile Strike On Erbil . 17 January 2024 . Iran International . 17 January 2024 . en . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116220140/https://www.iranintl.com/en/202401161288 . live .
  23. News: Tulloch . Joseph . 17 January 2024 . Pope condemns missile strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117113100/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-01/pope-francis-erbil-iraq-kurdistan-missile-attack.html . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . Vatican News . en.
  24. Web site: Bir . Burak . 16 January 2024 . NATO chief condemns Iran's missile strikes towards Iraq's Erbil . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117002253/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/nato-chief-condemns-iran-s-missile-strikes-towards-iraq-s-erbil/3110840 . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . Anadolu Agency.
  25. Web site: Mohamed . Gobran . 17 January 2024 . Arab League condemns Iran's missile strikes on Iraq . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120041934/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2443361/middle-east . 20 January 2024 . 20 January 2024.

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