2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq

The 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq began as unidentified drone or aircraft bombings of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq starting on 19 July 2019.[3] The strikes targeted Iranian proxy groups, based in Iraq, as well as IRGC operatives.

2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
Part of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
DateJuly 19 – September 22, 2019
Location
Iraq
Status Unknown
Belligerents

 Israel[1]

Supported by:
 United States
(according to PMF and Iran)

Popular Mobilization Forces
 Iran

Strength
F-35 Lightning II[2]
(Alleged by Israel)
IAI Harop(alleged by Iran)		 Unknown
Casualties and losses
None 47 killed
2 injured
1 civilian killed
29 civilians injured
1st strike
2nd strike
3rd strike
4th strike
5th strike
Location of the airstrikes in Iraq

Several Iraqi, Iranian and Israeli officials have blamed Israel for the attacks, though Israel had initially neither confirmed nor denied its role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted responsibility for the attacks on 20 August 2019, claiming that "Iran is not immune anywhere".[4] Israel confirmed responsibility for the strikes on 22 August 2019, which was later followed by a US confirmation.[5][6]

Timeline

Amirli strike

On 19 July 2019 unidentified drones bombed a base belonging to the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces base in Iraq, close to the town of Amirli. An airstrike wounded two Iranians after it struck a base that housed advisers from Iran and Lebanon, while a second strike hit a weapons depot, causing a large fire and the destruction of several ballistic missiles.[3][7] The US Central Command CENTCOM denied responsibility for the bombing.

Iran reported on July 30 that the attack had killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Abu Alfazl Sarabian.[8]

Camp Ashraf strike

On 27 July 2019 Camp Ashraf, one of the biggest bases in Iraq, was attacked by what Iraqi military sources described as one or more Israeli Air Force jets. The attack struck a consignment of ballistic missile launchers and living quarters of IRGC officers and PMF personnel. Some sources reported that up to 40 people were killed in the attack.[9] According to Iraqi and Iranian sources the attacks were carried out by Israeli F-35 aircraft.[10]

Southern Baghdad strike

Explosions rocked a PMF weapons depot in southern Baghdad on 12 August killing one and injuring 29 civilians.[11] A spokesman for Iraq's Interior Minister said that an examination of the warehouse showed that the explosion was not caused by an internal failure but by a third party that attacked the warehouse and caused a fire.[12][13]

Iraq closed its airspace to all unauthorized flights on 13 August, including to the US coalition. Iraqi Prime Minister also ordered all military camps and munitions warehouses to be moved outside Iraqi cities following the explosions that killed one civilian and wounded 29.[14][15]

30th Brigade's headquarters strike

On 17 August, unidentified warplanes targeted the 30th Brigade's headquarters, which is affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces.[16]

Balad strike

Blasts hit a PMF arms depot on 20 August close to the Balad Air Base. A PMF source said the arms depot was specifically targeted by an aerial bombardment.[17]

Al-Qa'im

On 25 August 2019 a PMF convoy was hit by two drones near the Syrian–Iraqi border town of Al-Qa'im, killing six, including a senior commander. PMF blamed Israel for the attack. It came as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was making a speech in response to an alleged Israeli attack at their stronghold in Dahieh, Lebanon.[18][19]

Hit strike

On 20 September, loud explosions were reported at a warehouse near the city of Hit in Anbar Province, northwest of Baghdad. Sky News Arabic reported that after the blast, shells were launched into neighboring areas, indicating an arms depot may have been hit. Al-Arabiya also reported that the warehouse was used to store weaponry and belonged to the Popular Mobilization Forces. al-Arabiya quoted an Iraqi officer claiming there was a drone in the area at the time of the explosions.[20] As result of the explosions, 21 Iraqi militants of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed.[21]

Tafuf Brigade strike

On 22 September, violent explosions caused by airstrikes took place at a base belonging to "Liwa al-Tafuf" 13th Brigade of the Popular Mobilisation Units. An Iraqi security official told The New Arab that drones may have been used in the attack.[22]

Responsibility

On 22 August 2019 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had been carrying out operations against Iran in Iraq, saying "We are working against Iranian consolidation—in Iraq as well."[5] US officials also confirmed that Israel was behind the attacks later in the day.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Netanyahu confirms Israeli military operating in Iraq". Archived from the original on 2019-08-23.
  2. "In Major Shift, Israel Twice Struck Iranian Targets in Iraq 'Using F-35'". Archived from the original on 2019-08-22.
  3. "Drone Attack Hits Shiite Militia Base in Northern Iraq". Archived from the original on 2019-08-22.
  4. "Netanyahu hints Israel behind strikes on Iraq, says Iran not immune anywhere". Archived from the original on 2019-09-05.
  5. "Netanyahu Confirms Israel Acting Against Iran in Iraq". Archived from the original on 2019-08-26.
  6. "AMERICAN OFFICIALS CONFIRM ISRAEL BEHIND STRIKES IN IRAQ – REPORT". Archived from the original on 2019-09-13.
  7. "Drone targets base of Iran-backed militia in northern Iraq". Archived from the original on 2019-07-24.
  8. "Iran admits a Revolutionary Guard commander killed in an 'Israeli attack' in Iraq on July 19". Archived from the original on 2019-08-20.
  9. "Second Israeli attack on Iranian targets in E. Iraq reported by Iraqi sources". Archived from the original on 2019-08-22.
  10. "REPORT: ISRAEL LAUNCHED TWO ATTACKS ON IRANIAN TARGETS IN IRAQ IN JULY". Archived from the original on 2019-09-12.
  11. "Explosions at ammunition warehouse kill one and injure 29 in Baghdad". Archived from the original on 2019-09-05.
  12. "US and Israel are attacking Iranian targets in Iraq". Archived from the original on 2019-08-22.
  13. "Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike". Archived from the original on 2019-08-16.
  14. "Iraq takes security measures following mysterious blasts blamed on Israel". Archived from the original on 2019-08-16.
  15. "Iraq closes airspace even to US Coalition flights after suspected Israeli raid".
  16. "Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike". Archived from the original on 2019-09-01.
  17. "Explosion rocks arms depot north of Iraq's Baghdad". Archived from the original on 2019-09-13.
  18. "As Hezbollah Leader Blasts Israel, Iran-backed Militias Struck on Iraq-Syria Border". Archived from the original on 2019-08-26.
  19. "Iraq paramilitary: Israel behind drone attack near Syria border". Archived from the original on 2019-08-26.
  20. "Blasts reported at Iraqi warehouse allegedly used by Iran-backed militia". Archived from the original on 2019-12-06.
  21. "Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot". Archived from the original on 2019-09-11.
  22. "Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot".
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