BAGHDAD - Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for a series of strikes targeting what they referred to as the "spy headquarters" of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. According to state media reports, the elite force also conducted strikes against the Islamic State in Syria.
The attacks were allegedly carried out in response to perceived Israeli atrocities and the killing of three Guards members, including a senior commander, in Syria last month. The Revolutionary Guards stated that ballistic missiles destroyed a key Mossad espionage facility in Iraq's Kurdistan region, though Reuters could not independently verify the report. Israeli government officials were not immediately available for comment.
Since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, the conflict has escalated, drawing in Iran's allies from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The Revolutionary Guards emphasized their commitment to continuing offensive operations until avenging the loss of their members.
In addition to the reported strikes in Kurdistan, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have fired ballistic missiles in Syria, targeting individuals involved in terrorist operations, including those affiliated with the Islamic State. However, Reuters could not independently confirm these claims.
The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks near Erbil, calling them "reckless," but clarified that no U.S. facilities were targeted, and there were no U.S. casualties. The spokesperson for the White House National Security Council expressed concern about the imprecise nature of the strikes and affirmed the United States' support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.
The Kurdistan government's security council reported at least four civilian casualties and six injuries in the strikes on Erbil, denouncing the attacks as a "crime against the Kurdish people." Among the casualties was Peshraw Dizayee, a prominent Kurdish businessman with close ties to the ruling Barzani clan.
Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned the attack on Erbil, emphasizing the tragic impact on civilians. The strikes disrupted air traffic at Erbil airport, and security sources reported damage to the homes of a senior Kurdish intelligence official.
Iran has previously conducted strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, citing concerns about separatist groups and alleged Israeli agents in the area. Baghdad has attempted to address Iranian concerns by relocating some individuals as part of a security agreement reached in 2023.