A new red line has been crossed in the Middle East more than one hundred days after the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the contagion effect of which appears to be spreading hour by hour. This time it was Iran that took action directly with a launch of missiles on targets in Iraq and Syria defined as “terrorist and spy positions” but which in reality also include the diplomatic representation of the United States in Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Around 10pm Italian time, Iranian state media announced that the Revolutionary Guards had launched an attack against “terrorist groups” in Erbil in Iraq and Aleppo in Syria. «IRCG has announced the destruction of a headquarters of spies and anti-Iranian terrorist groups in some parts of the region with ballistic missiles», specified the IRNA agency.
Four people were killed during the raids carried out by the so-called Pasdaran (from Farsi) who explain how the operation against Islamic State positions is the response to the bloody attack on January 4 near the mausoleum of General Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, at following the fourth anniversary of his killing at the hands of the Americans and on the orders of Donald Trump.
The raids in Aleppo occurred around the same time as those in Erbil in Iraq. Where, however, several explosions were reported near the American consulate in Erbil, and where eight targets were apparently targeted, as reported by Abc News an Iraqi security source, specifying that there were no human losses among coalition or US forces. Which in turn shot down three drones near Erbil airport in Iraq.
Air traffic was interrupted, explains the source who spoke of a very violent bombing. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they targeted “spies’ headquarters” and “anti-Iranian terrorist rallies in some parts of the region” with ballistic missiles. THE
Several videos have circulated online, the authenticity of which still needs to be verified. It must be said, however, that if the news were confirmed, what makes this attack unique compared to others is that Tehran, usually very cautious, immediately claimed paternity. Usually this type of action is delegated to proxy militias supported by Iran, explains Red State magazine. This time the Pasdaran left nothing to the imagination, claiming they were targeting “spies’ headquarters” while targeting “anti-Iranian terrorist rallies.” This would be a further overcoming of the red lines that see Iran and the United States directly opposed, therefore an acceleration in the escalation of a conflict, that of Gaza, which now increasingly has regional contours, as can be seen from the contagion on the Israeli front -Lebanese with Hezbollah, the actions of the Houthis and the Iraqi-Syrian prosecutors. How will Joe Biden’s administration respond to all this? «Because – states Red State – this is technically an act of war».