Four airstrikes against Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia bases in Iraq in the last month represent a new front that appears to be developing against these groups, however they remain shrouded in mystery. On Tuesday, an explosion destroyed munition storage near Balad Air base in Iraq.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported on the explosion. It is now clear that it could be a new front line, the report noted. The mysterious airstrikes have targeted storage of rockets and is aimed at groups backed by Iran.
The first strikes hit Camp Ashraf and Amerli and the third struck Camp Falcon near Baghdad. The first two areas were not far from the Iranian border. These are sensitive areas and are associated with areas that militias seek to store their weapons, many of them stockpiled during the war on ISIS. However, it is not clear how the strikes were carried out; some media and locals have reported drones and others suggested it could be the F-35.
There has been complete silence in Israel regarding the air strikes, however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly asked about them in Ukraine. Israel has warned in the past about Iranian entrenchment in Syria. Netanyahu said in July that the F-35 can reach Iran. Sumer News in Iraq has reported in Arabic that Netanyahu hinted Israel was behind the strikes. Al-Ain news reported that the base was linked to Ktaib Hezbollah, one of the militias in Iraq closely linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In the recent alleged airstrikes the militias have been silent on blaming Israel, however, the US-led Coalition has said in the past they were not responsible. This comes in the context of US-Iran tensions in Iraq. In May and June there were several incidents of militias accused of firing rockets and mortars near US bases and near the US embassy.
In the recent alleged airstrikes the militias have been silent on blaming Israel, however, the US-led Coalition has said in the past they were not responsible. This comes in the context of US-Iran tensions in Iraq. In May and June there were several incidents of militias accused of firing rockets and mortars near US bases and near the US embassy.
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