Iraq has called back its ambassador from Tehran and summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, sternly protesting against Iranian strikes that killed several civilians in Irbil, according to the Iraqi International Ministry.
Key Takeaways:
• Iraq recalls its ambassador from Iran, protesting against a missile assault on Irbil that claimed civilian lives.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility, stating that they aimed at Israeli “spy headquarters” and targets linked to the Islamic State group.
• Iran’s claims of targeting a Mossad base have been labeled “baseless” by an Iraqi security advisor.
• Civilian casualties reported, including prominent local businessman Peshraw Dizayi and his family in Irbil.
• Iran launched subsequent assaults against what it claimed were bases of militant group Jaish al-Adl, primarily active in Pakistan.
Irbil Strikes Condemned
The ministry vehemently condemned the attack, calling it “a blatant violation” of national sovereignty. It claimed that the assault strongly contradicts principles of good neighborliness and international law, besides threatening the security of the region. The Iranian missiles, fired late Monday, reportedly aimed at what Iran described as an Israeli “spy headquarters” located near the United States Consulate compound in Irbil. The city serves as the hub of Iraq’s northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The attacks also directed towards targets associated with the Islamic State group in northern Syria.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, in a Tuesday press statement, took responsibility for the assault. The statement mentioned the launch of four missiles aimed at Islamic State positions in Syria’s Idlib province, and 11 missiles on the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
Denials and Calls for Response
Questioning Iran’s rationale, Qassim al-Araji, the National Security advisor to Iraq’s Prime Minister, dismissed Iran’s claims of targeting a Mossad headquarters as being baseless. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdish region, stressed that such attacks should not go unanswered.
The strikes came amidst an atmosphere of elevated tensions in the region, feeding fears of a broader spillover of the continuing Israel-Hamas Gaza conflict. Additionally, the Islamic State group recently claimed responsibility for two deadly suicide bombings at a ceremony commemorating General Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian who was killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike.
Iran Retaliates Again
On Tuesday, Iran launched further attacks, this time using missiles and drones against what it described as the militant group Jaish al-Adl’s bases, largely active across the border in nuclear-armed Pakistan. However, Pakistan has not immediately acknowledged the attack. Iranian state media sources vanished after first indicating these reports, providing no further explanation.
Iran and its senior military representative General Hassan Hassanzadeh stated that these strikes were in response to a command issued by the nation’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian International Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani insisted that the attacks were necessary for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and security.
Civilian Casualties Reported
The missile strike in Irbil claimed the lives of at least four people, including prominent local businessman Peshraw Dizayi along with members of his family. A medical clinic in Syria’s Idlib province was also reported as a target but it was no longer operational during the attack.
US Condemnation and Protests
The United States condemned the reckless missile strikes in a statement released by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. In Irbil, several hundred protesters gathered on Tuesday in protest against the attacks.