The Islamic Republic of Iran conducted a series of missile and drone strikes in neighboring countries on Monday and Tuesday, leading to multiple casualties in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—the military division that took responsibility for the attacks—the strikes targeted alleged anti-Iranian terrorist groups and Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
The initial strikes were carried out late on Monday night in the city of Erbil in northern Iraq, destroying multiple buildings near the US Consulate. The explosions in the upscale neighborhood near the embassy killed four civilians and injured six, according to the local Kurdish government. No Americans were killed in the attack, and the consulate does not appear to have been a direct target.
BREAKING : Footage of loud explosions in Erbil #Iraq targeting US consulate and airport. Arabic media reporting 6 explosions using missiles and drones https://t.co/MgObwqXcNY
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 15, 2024
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A statement from the IRGC—which is designated as a terrorist group by the United States—took credit for the attack and claimed that it had targeted the “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings in parts of the region.” Specifically, Iran claims that the destroyed facility had been operated by the Mossad, Israel’s premier intelligence force, linking the strike to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Iran claims that the Mossad has been fomenting terrorist attacks against Iran in the region, which Israel strongly denies. At the same time, Iranian proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen have been escalating attacks against Israel and the West, with the Houthis launching missile attacks of their own in the Red Sea.
Related: Houthi Rebels Launch Missile Strike on US-Owned Container Ship in Gulf of Aden
The IRGC separately claimed responsibility for another ballistic missile strike against “anti-Iran terror groups in occupied territories of Syria,” primarily the forces of the Islamic State.
“We have been in touch with senior Iraqi officials as well as officials in the Kurdistan Region,” US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said after the initial attacks. “Iran is claiming this is in response to the terrorist attacks in Kerman, Iran, and Rask, Iran, with a focus on ISIS. We will continue to assess the situation, but initial indications are that this was a reckless and imprecise set of strikes.”
On Tuesday, Iran launched another series of strikes against bases linked to the militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan, retaliating for attacks along the border between the two countries. Pakistan—a nuclear-armed country—reported that two children had been killed and three others were wounded in the “unprovoked violation” of its airspace.
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences,” warned the Pakistani government, which has a longstanding rivalry with Iran. “Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighborly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer covering politics, culture, and business for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X (Twitter).
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