The pro-Iranian militia Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack against a base with a US presence in Syria. An act they justify as a response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the “unwavering” support of the United States. At the same time, the murder of a high-ranking Iranian general in Damascus after an Israeli air strike became known.
First change: 12/26/2023 – 01:07
3 minutes
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq reported a new attack. This time the target was a base with an American presence in Syria. The Iran-backed group asserted that it was part of its operation against US positions in the Middle East.
“The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked the occupation base in Green Village, Syria, with drones,” the group reported in a statement. Furthermore, they assured that this was part of “their approach to resisting US occupation forces in Iraq and the region.”
The attack specifically targeted facilities with a US presence in the Al Omar oil field in eastern Syria. A U.S. military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack to the AP and said it caused injuries, but gave no further details.
According to the group, the act is part of a “response to the massacres of our people in Gaza by the Zionist entity.”
Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated – following the Islamist group's October 7 attacks and Israel's fierce response – the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for nearly a hundred attacks against US targets in Syria and Iraq. This is in response to the United States’ “unwavering support for Israel” and support for Hamas.
In addition to these militias, the Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels in Yemen also led a series of attacks and bombings against Israel. Some of these started again after a brief lull in the last weeks of November.
A high-ranking Iranian general is killed in an Israeli airstrike
A high-ranking Iranian general was killed in an Israeli strike in the Syrian capital Damascus, Iranian state media reported. This is Seyed Razi Mousavi, Long-time advisor to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Sayyed Razi Mousavi, senior advisor of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, appears in a picture taken at an undisclosed location on December 25, 2023. © Tasnim News/WANA/Via Portal
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement that Mousavi “was martyred while serving as an advisor to the Resistance Front, defending holy sites in Syria and protecting Islamic ideals.” Furthermore, he threatened that “the Israeli regime will definitely pay for this crime.”
Additionally, the assassination was condemned by other Iranian officials and allied militant groups in the region. They all swore there would be revenge.
This fact comes on top of recent hostilities that have intensified in the Middle East and threaten to escalate a regional conflict.
Particularly noteworthy are the constant attacks by the Hezbollah militia on the border between Lebanon and Israel.
In addition, tensions are particularly high in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Houthi rebels have carried out a series of attacks on ships they claim are linked to Israel. Some of these have even led to several international companies rerouting maritime traffic flows.
Last week, the United States announced a multi-country alliance to protect freedom of movement on this sea route.
Israel killed two more generals in Syria earlier this month. These attacks are not new: In recent years, Israel has carried out hundreds against targets in government-held parts of war-torn Syria. He often does not acknowledge his responsibility, but justifies his claims by targeting Iranian-backed groups that support Bashar al-Assad's regime.
With EFE and AP