A view of a damaged building following missile attacks, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
In an uncommon diplomatic dispute between neighboring allies, Iran executed a missile strike on targets in northern Iraq, leading to tensions with Baghdad. The strike targeted what the Iranian Revolutionary Guards identified as an Israeli espionage center in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Additionally, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have conducted strikes in Syria against the Islamic State.
The attack, occurring on Monday, marked Iran’s first direct military involvement in the region associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Revolutionary Guards justified the strike as a response to perceived Israeli “atrocities” against its commanders and those aligned with Iranian forces throughout the Middle East since the commencement of the conflict.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, denounced the attack as “clear aggression” against Iraq, describing it as a dangerous development undermining the robust relationship between Tehran and Baghdad. In protest, Iraq recalled its ambassador from Tehran and summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires in Baghdad.
The missile strike targeted a residential area near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, resulting in casualties, including the death of Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee and several family members. Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji refuted claims that the targeted house was an Israeli spy center, asserting it belonged to an Iraqi businessman from Erbil.
Israel refrained from speculating on Iran’s assertion about targeting a Mossad site but condemned Iran’s use of proxies to attack Israel on various fronts. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani defended the attack, emphasizing Iran’s legitimate right to deter national security threats while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.
In response to the Erbil strike, the Revolutionary Guards stated they also fired ballistic missiles in Syria and addressed “perpetrators of terrorist operations” in Iran, including the Islamic State. France accused Iran of violating Iraq’s sovereignty, and the United States condemned the attacks as “reckless.” U.S. officials clarified that no U.S. facilities were affected, and there were no U.S. casualties.
Iran, supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel, accuses the U.S. of endorsing what it perceives as Israeli crimes in Gaza. The U.S. has expressed support for Israel while raising concerns about civilian casualties among the Palestinian population. Iran has previously conducted strikes in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, citing it as a staging ground for Iranian separatist groups and alleged agents of Israel. Baghdad has attempted to address Iranian concerns regarding separatist groups, implementing a security agreement with Tehran in 2023, which includes relocating some members.
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