Iran-backed armed groups targeted US troops in Iraq hours after Tehran vowed revenge and blamed Israel for a deadly attack on a building housing its elite forces in the capital Damascus Syrian, raising fears of a vast regional conflict.
The attack left one Iraqi and possibly American casualty, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday, and came hours after Tehran vowed revenge on Israel for its strike targeting the Revolutionary Guard Corps Iranians (IRGC) in Syria.
“Several ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in western Iraq, targeting al-Assad airbase,” CENTCOM said on X.
Most of the projectiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems, but “others hit the base,” the statement said.
Iran-backed militants attack Al-Assad airbase in Iraq
Around 6:30 p.m. (Baghdad time) on January 20, several ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in western Iraq, targeting al-Assad air base. Most of the missiles were intercepted by… pic.twitter.com/rYaNrRdRtu
– US Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2024
Attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria have increased since the Israeli military offensive of October 7, supported militarily by Washington. Since launching its offensive on the Gaza Strip, Israel has expanded its attacks against armed groups linked to Iran in Syria and Lebanon.
Yemen’s Houthis, part of Tehran-backed groups known as the “axis of resistance,” have launched attacks on Israel and targeted Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, disrupting one of the busiest maritime routes. The Houthis are demanding that Israel end its war on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged territory which is in desperate need of food, medicine and other essential items.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has warned of the dangers of an escalation of the Israeli war against Gaza.
“If Israel continues to intensify its attacks on other fronts and if it drags the West along, we will see a very, very serious escalation of the conflict,” he told Tel Aviv Tribune.
Missiles elsewhere risk wider war
Intensifying Israeli and US attacks on Iran-linked groups could potentially spark a regional conflict, pitting Iran and its allies against Israel and the United States.
An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon reportedly killed a Hezbollah member, who was traveling by car, according to two security sources. Another unidentified person traveling in the same car was also killed.
Meanwhile, the United States said it targeted a missile that the Houthis were aiming toward the Red Sea. The US military launched several strikes against the Houthis last week.
According to Hassan Ahmadian, a professor at the University of Tehran, Israel is widening the conflict due to its inability to achieve its military objectives in Gaza.
“The Israelis have upped the ante from what they were doing before,” Ahmadian told Tel Aviv Tribune, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called for an escalation.
Israel is also escalating its attacks to repel attacks from Iran and its allies in the region, but many of these groups are part of the “axis of resistance” and are doing so in their own national interest, he said. -he declares.
Israeli strike targets Iran in Syria
On Saturday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said his country would retaliate for the attack in Damascus that killed five IRGC members. Tehran has blamed Israel for the latest attack targeting its forces in Syria – a close ally of Iran.
“The Islamic Republic will not leave the crimes of the Zionist regime unanswered,” Raisi said, according to public television channel IRIB.
There was no comment from Israel, but the country has killed IRGC members in several similar strikes since October 7.
They were targeted in a building in Damascus which was razed by “precisely targeted Israeli missiles”, according to a security source close to the Syrian government.
Portraits of IRGC members in Iranian state media referred to three of them with an honorific title used for generals, suggesting they were senior commanders, while the other two were a major and someone one of lower rank.
An unknown number of Syrian soldiers were also killed.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on the X: “The activities of Iranian military advisers in the fight against terrorism and securing the region will continue with full vigor. »
Iran and its military allies in Syria have entrenched themselves in several regions of the country.
In December, an Israeli airstrike killed two IRGC members, and another on December 25 killed a senior IRGC adviser.