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On the night of January 16, 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched massive missile attack on the territory of Iraq and Syria. The IRGC officially claimed responsibility for the strikes and declared that the ballistic missiles targeted US and Mossad bases in Iraq.
The attack was launched in response to the bloody terrorist attack in Kerman during commemorative events dedicated to Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2024. LINK Then, ISIS claimed responsibility for the explosions; but Tehran claimed that American and Israeli intelligence agencies were behind the terrorist attack.
In response, Iranian ballistic missiles hit spy centers and areas of gatherings of ‘anti-Iranian terrorist groups’, including the centers of the Israeli Mossad.
Iran used kamikaze drones Shahed-136, Fateh-110 or Fateh-313 and the latest Kheibar Shekan missile systems in the attack.
Local sources in Erbil report at least 8 missile strikes.
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Launch of the missiles:
The targets in Iraq included:
- the HQ of Mossad in Erbil and the private residence of a local businessman linked with the Mossad.
- reportedly facilities near the US military base at Erbil airport;
- reportedly the U.S. Consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan;
- reportedly the local headquarters of the Kurdish security service.
The headquarters of Mossad in Erbil
The US State Department claimed that none of the US facilities were damaged, no military and civilians were wounded as a result of the attack in Erbil. This is a routine message published by US officials in Washington. No victims from the US military were confirmed, although the Iraqi press claims that several ambulances were spotted heading to the US consulate and military base. The facilities suffered heavy damage.
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Local sources also report the death of Peshraw Dzeyi, whose residence was one of the targets during the night attack. The Kurdish businessman was owner of Empire and Falcon Group companies. He was closely associated with the Israeli Mossad. He reportedly participated in the training and financing of Mossad spies who carried out intelligence and terrorist missions in Iran. The businessman also played a key role in the supply of oil to Israel.
After yesterday’s missile strike on Erbil, Iraq recalled its ambassador from Iran.
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In Syria, targets included terrorist facilities in Idlib province. According to the Tasnim news agency, the IRGC’s missile strike last night on terrorist positions in Syrian Idlib was the farthest missile attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran in its history. Some of the strikes were launched from Khuzestan, and the missiles flew about 1,100-1,200 kilometers to the target.
The pressure on the US military is growing throughout the Middle East. Since October 17, US military bases have been attacked more than 150 times. The Houthis continue missile and drone strikes at the ships in the Red Sea. And Iran is increasingly pushing US out of Iraq. Biden’s team is desperately asking Baghdad to strengthen the security of its facilities; but the Iraqis, on the contrary, demand a withdrawal of US troops.
