20 aug 2019
The scene of the alleged Israeli strike in Iraq
Several powerful explosions have rocked a position held by Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha’abi, near a strategic air base north of the capital Baghdad.
The Iraqi Civil Defense Directorate announced in a statement that an ammunition warehouse belonging to the volunteer fighters exploded next to Balad air base, which hosts US forces and contractors and is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad, on Tuesday evening.
The statement added that “our teams are trying to bring the situation under control.”
An unnamed security source said thick plumes of black smoke are seen billowing from the site, adding that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown.
However, Fadhil Abu Ragheef, a security expert close to Iraqi intelligence services, said the arms depot of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces had been specifically targeted.
He added that the blast was followed by a series of explosions at the warehouse that sent a large amount of shrapnel nearby.
Hashd al-Sha’abi commanders also confirmed that the intended target of the blasts was the group’s position near Balad base.
Mohammad al-Baldawi, a representative of al-Bina party at the Iraqi parliament, stated that the incident is in line with repeated attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi positions.
On August 13, Abu Ragheef had told Russia's RT Arabic television news network that there is information that the Israeli military was planning to launch airstrikes against the arms depots of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces.
“Available information suggests that Israel is preparing to bomb the weapons caches of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces, and not the command centers or fortifications of the fighters. This is quite likely to happen,” he said.
He added that a powerful explosion, which rocked a military base in southern Baghdad on August 12, could be part of the Israeli scenario. Sayf al-Badr, spokesman of the Iraqi Health Ministry, said in a statement that at least one person was killed and 29 others were wounded in the blast.
In January, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinted during a visit to Iraq that the Israeli regime could launch attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi forces, who played a key role in the Iraqi army’s counter-terrorism battles against the Daesh terror group and helped the government to rid the country of the Takfiri outfit in late 2017.
Pompeo was reported to have made it clear to Iraqi officials at a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister that Washington would not react to possible Israeli attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters.
Abdul-Mahdi expressed concern about the statement and warned Pompeo that such actions by Israel would have grave consequences, Russia’s RT Arabic television news network reported back then.
Reacting to the reports, Moein al-Kazemi, a Hashd al-Sha’abi commander, said the force was ready to deliver a “strong” response to any aggression, advising the regime in Tel Aviv not to “play with fire.”
The Israeli regime has a record of attacking the forces fighting Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria.
In June 2018, Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters came under attack in Syria’s border town of al-Hari, in the eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, as they were chasing Daesh terrorists out of the area.
Both the Syrian government and Hashd al-Sha’abi declared back then that the attack near the Iraqi-Syrian border had been deliberate and could only have been carried out by either Israel or the United States.
Report: Israel attacked in Iraq with U.S., Russia approval
The Arabic-language newspaper Asharq al-Awsat says Israel attacked positions of Iran-backed militias north of Baghdad including missile warehouses of the Revolutionary Guards after Israel reached 'understandings' with Washington and Moscow
Israel has attacked Iranian targets in Iraq at least three times in the past few weeks as part of “understandings” reached with the United States and Russia, the London-based, Arabic-language Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday.
According to the report, which cites Western diplomatic sources, the strikes targeted missile warehouses of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. It was one of a series of explosions in recent weeks at weapons depots, bases or positions belonging to Iran-backed military groups in the country.
The sources said that Russia and the U.S. have agreed that Israel’s actions in Iraq and Syria are vital “in ensuring Israel’s security,” and - according to the understandings - the officials in Jerusalem are not obliged to claim the attacks in order not to escalate the already volatile situation in the region.
On Tuesday, several explosions rocked the military positions held by the Popular Mobilization Forces - a state-sponsored umbrella military organization which includes Iran-backed militias - near Balad air base north of Baghdad.
Balad base hosts U.S. forces and contractors and is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad. A PMF group backed by Iran is stationed nearby.
Several powerful explosions have rocked a position held by Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha’abi, near a strategic air base north of the capital Baghdad.
The Iraqi Civil Defense Directorate announced in a statement that an ammunition warehouse belonging to the volunteer fighters exploded next to Balad air base, which hosts US forces and contractors and is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad, on Tuesday evening.
The statement added that “our teams are trying to bring the situation under control.”
An unnamed security source said thick plumes of black smoke are seen billowing from the site, adding that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown.
However, Fadhil Abu Ragheef, a security expert close to Iraqi intelligence services, said the arms depot of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces had been specifically targeted.
He added that the blast was followed by a series of explosions at the warehouse that sent a large amount of shrapnel nearby.
Hashd al-Sha’abi commanders also confirmed that the intended target of the blasts was the group’s position near Balad base.
Mohammad al-Baldawi, a representative of al-Bina party at the Iraqi parliament, stated that the incident is in line with repeated attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi positions.
On August 13, Abu Ragheef had told Russia's RT Arabic television news network that there is information that the Israeli military was planning to launch airstrikes against the arms depots of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces.
“Available information suggests that Israel is preparing to bomb the weapons caches of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces, and not the command centers or fortifications of the fighters. This is quite likely to happen,” he said.
He added that a powerful explosion, which rocked a military base in southern Baghdad on August 12, could be part of the Israeli scenario. Sayf al-Badr, spokesman of the Iraqi Health Ministry, said in a statement that at least one person was killed and 29 others were wounded in the blast.
In January, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinted during a visit to Iraq that the Israeli regime could launch attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi forces, who played a key role in the Iraqi army’s counter-terrorism battles against the Daesh terror group and helped the government to rid the country of the Takfiri outfit in late 2017.
Pompeo was reported to have made it clear to Iraqi officials at a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister that Washington would not react to possible Israeli attacks against Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters.
Abdul-Mahdi expressed concern about the statement and warned Pompeo that such actions by Israel would have grave consequences, Russia’s RT Arabic television news network reported back then.
Reacting to the reports, Moein al-Kazemi, a Hashd al-Sha’abi commander, said the force was ready to deliver a “strong” response to any aggression, advising the regime in Tel Aviv not to “play with fire.”
The Israeli regime has a record of attacking the forces fighting Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria.
In June 2018, Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters came under attack in Syria’s border town of al-Hari, in the eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, as they were chasing Daesh terrorists out of the area.
Both the Syrian government and Hashd al-Sha’abi declared back then that the attack near the Iraqi-Syrian border had been deliberate and could only have been carried out by either Israel or the United States.
Report: Israel attacked in Iraq with U.S., Russia approval
The Arabic-language newspaper Asharq al-Awsat says Israel attacked positions of Iran-backed militias north of Baghdad including missile warehouses of the Revolutionary Guards after Israel reached 'understandings' with Washington and Moscow
Israel has attacked Iranian targets in Iraq at least three times in the past few weeks as part of “understandings” reached with the United States and Russia, the London-based, Arabic-language Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday.
According to the report, which cites Western diplomatic sources, the strikes targeted missile warehouses of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. It was one of a series of explosions in recent weeks at weapons depots, bases or positions belonging to Iran-backed military groups in the country.
The sources said that Russia and the U.S. have agreed that Israel’s actions in Iraq and Syria are vital “in ensuring Israel’s security,” and - according to the understandings - the officials in Jerusalem are not obliged to claim the attacks in order not to escalate the already volatile situation in the region.
On Tuesday, several explosions rocked the military positions held by the Popular Mobilization Forces - a state-sponsored umbrella military organization which includes Iran-backed militias - near Balad air base north of Baghdad.
Balad base hosts U.S. forces and contractors and is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad. A PMF group backed by Iran is stationed nearby.
Fire near Iraqi air base where Iranian targets were attacked
The military official said the intended target of the blasts was the group’s position near the base. The paramilitary source said his group’s weapons depot was specifically targeted by an aerial bombardment.
Iraq's Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari visited the site shortly after the incident, telling Iraqi state television that fires resulting from the blast had been put out and that some military personnel had suffered minor injuries.
Witnesses said the explosions caused stored rockets to fly into nearby farmland and into Balad base itself, and residents in the area fled their homes fearing rockets might land on them.
Sky News Arabia reported that at least 50 missiles had exploded at the warehouses that were targeted in the strikes.
Some analysts have suggested the strikes might have been carried out by Israel, which last year signaled that it could attack suspected Iranian military assets in Iraq, as it has done with scores of air strikes in Syria.
The military official said the intended target of the blasts was the group’s position near the base. The paramilitary source said his group’s weapons depot was specifically targeted by an aerial bombardment.
Iraq's Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari visited the site shortly after the incident, telling Iraqi state television that fires resulting from the blast had been put out and that some military personnel had suffered minor injuries.
Witnesses said the explosions caused stored rockets to fly into nearby farmland and into Balad base itself, and residents in the area fled their homes fearing rockets might land on them.
Sky News Arabia reported that at least 50 missiles had exploded at the warehouses that were targeted in the strikes.
Some analysts have suggested the strikes might have been carried out by Israel, which last year signaled that it could attack suspected Iranian military assets in Iraq, as it has done with scores of air strikes in Syria.
Explosions near Balad air base north of Baghdad
“Iraq’s air defenses have very high capability, but one thing they couldn’t detect is an advanced Israeli air attack,” said Baghdad-based security analyst Hisham al-Hashimi, who advises the government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the attacks on Tuesday evening shortly before his return flight from Ukraine’s capital of Kiev.
“There are major security challenges which are explained in the report I received a few minutes ago,” he said, adding that he receives intelligence reports on a daily basis.
“Iraq’s air defenses have very high capability, but one thing they couldn’t detect is an advanced Israeli air attack,” said Baghdad-based security analyst Hisham al-Hashimi, who advises the government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the attacks on Tuesday evening shortly before his return flight from Ukraine’s capital of Kiev.
“There are major security challenges which are explained in the report I received a few minutes ago,” he said, adding that he receives intelligence reports on a daily basis.
12 aug 2019
This handout picture released by the US Navy on August 10, 2019 shows the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) while conducting a replenishment-at-sea with fleet replenishment oiler ship USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) in the Persian Gulf waters
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali al-Hakim has expressed his country’s opposition to the Israeli regime’s possible involvement in a US-led mission in the Persian Gulf, warning that the presence of foreign forces, including Western countries, in the strategic water body will be fueling tensions.
“Iraq rejects the participation of Zionist forces in any military force to secure the passage of ships in the [Persian] Gulf. The [Persian] Gulf littoral states can together secure the transit of ships,” Hakim wrote in a post published on his official Twitter page on Monday.
“Iraq is seeking to reduce tension in our region through peaceful negotiations,” he said, warning that “the presence of Western forces in the region will increase tension.”
The remarks came a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region, and that the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal presence lies with the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The United States and the United Kingdom must assume responsibility for the Zionist regime's illegal presence in the Persian Gulf waters,” IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network on Sunday.
“Any presence of the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf waters is illegal, as it may result in war and confrontation in the region,” the top commander warned.
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said on August 7 that the regime would be part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf.”
Katz claimed that Israel was determined to stop “Iranian entrenchment” in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv’s relationship with the Persian Gulf countries, Israeli news website Ynet reported.
On August 9, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Moussavi highlighted that the Islamic Republic regards possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it.
"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," Moussavi noted.
"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.
US Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on July 9 that the US was proceeding with plans to assemble the coalition purportedly aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in waters off Iran and Yemen.
"We're engaging now with a number of countries to see if we can put together a coalition that would ensure freedom of navigation both in the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb," Dunford said.
"And so I think probably over the next couple of weeks we'll identify which nations have the political will to support that initiative and then we'll work directly with the militaries to identify the specific capabilities that'll support that," he added.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali al-Hakim has expressed his country’s opposition to the Israeli regime’s possible involvement in a US-led mission in the Persian Gulf, warning that the presence of foreign forces, including Western countries, in the strategic water body will be fueling tensions.
“Iraq rejects the participation of Zionist forces in any military force to secure the passage of ships in the [Persian] Gulf. The [Persian] Gulf littoral states can together secure the transit of ships,” Hakim wrote in a post published on his official Twitter page on Monday.
“Iraq is seeking to reduce tension in our region through peaceful negotiations,” he said, warning that “the presence of Western forces in the region will increase tension.”
The remarks came a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region, and that the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal presence lies with the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The United States and the United Kingdom must assume responsibility for the Zionist regime's illegal presence in the Persian Gulf waters,” IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network on Sunday.
“Any presence of the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf waters is illegal, as it may result in war and confrontation in the region,” the top commander warned.
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said on August 7 that the regime would be part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf.”
Katz claimed that Israel was determined to stop “Iranian entrenchment” in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv’s relationship with the Persian Gulf countries, Israeli news website Ynet reported.
On August 9, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Moussavi highlighted that the Islamic Republic regards possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it.
"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," Moussavi noted.
"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.
US Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on July 9 that the US was proceeding with plans to assemble the coalition purportedly aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in waters off Iran and Yemen.
"We're engaging now with a number of countries to see if we can put together a coalition that would ensure freedom of navigation both in the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb," Dunford said.
"And so I think probably over the next couple of weeks we'll identify which nations have the political will to support that initiative and then we'll work directly with the militaries to identify the specific capabilities that'll support that," he added.
In this July 21, 2019 photo, an aerial view shows a speedboat of IRGC moving around the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region, and the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal presence lies with the US and the UK.
"The United States and the United Kingdom must assume responsibility for the Zionist regime's illegal presence in the Persian Gulf waters," IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen on Sunday.
"Any presence of the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf waters is illegal, as it may result in war and confrontation in the region," the top commander warned.
The comments came after Israel said it will join a US maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf, which the US says is aimed at boosting the security of navigation in the body of water.
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said on August 7 that the regime would be part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf”.
On Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi warned that the country considers possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it.
"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," he noted.
"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.
In his Sunday comments, the IRGC Navy commander slammed the "illegal" formation of the maritime coalition, and said Washington and London fabricate various scenarios to legitimize their presence in the Persian Gulf.
"By establishing an illegal coalition in the region, the US and the UK are trying to implement their own scenarios," he added.
Admiral Tangsiri said the IRGC Navy is responsible for ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, and "we don't need the presence of foreigners."
"The security of Persian Gulf is among Iran's priorities, and we believe Iran's shipping lanes must remain international," the IRGC general said.
He underlined that the world and the regional countries must know Iran will ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz as long as its oil is allowed to be exported through the waterway.
"Iran is the flag-bearer of security in the Persian Gulf, but that hinges on the export of our oil and the country's ability to use the region. We'll ensure the security of Persian Gulf as long as our own security is ensured," the top commander said.
The United States has been trying to persuade its allies to form an international coalition with the declared aim of providing “security” for merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of all oil consumed globally pass —and other strategic Middle Eastern shipping lanes.
The US had officially asked Germany to participate — alongside Britain and France — in the coalition, a request that was declined by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The UK, however, accepted to join the US-led coalition.
Japan has likewise refused to join the force, and France has expressed reservations.
Washington claims Tehran has played a role in two separate attacks on oil tankers in the Sea of Oman in May and June, without providing any credible evidence to support the accusations.
Iran has categorically rejected the charges.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region, and the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal presence lies with the US and the UK.
"The United States and the United Kingdom must assume responsibility for the Zionist regime's illegal presence in the Persian Gulf waters," IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen on Sunday.
"Any presence of the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf waters is illegal, as it may result in war and confrontation in the region," the top commander warned.
The comments came after Israel said it will join a US maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf, which the US says is aimed at boosting the security of navigation in the body of water.
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said on August 7 that the regime would be part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf”.
On Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi warned that the country considers possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it.
"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," he noted.
"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.
In his Sunday comments, the IRGC Navy commander slammed the "illegal" formation of the maritime coalition, and said Washington and London fabricate various scenarios to legitimize their presence in the Persian Gulf.
"By establishing an illegal coalition in the region, the US and the UK are trying to implement their own scenarios," he added.
Admiral Tangsiri said the IRGC Navy is responsible for ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, and "we don't need the presence of foreigners."
"The security of Persian Gulf is among Iran's priorities, and we believe Iran's shipping lanes must remain international," the IRGC general said.
He underlined that the world and the regional countries must know Iran will ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz as long as its oil is allowed to be exported through the waterway.
"Iran is the flag-bearer of security in the Persian Gulf, but that hinges on the export of our oil and the country's ability to use the region. We'll ensure the security of Persian Gulf as long as our own security is ensured," the top commander said.
The United States has been trying to persuade its allies to form an international coalition with the declared aim of providing “security” for merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of all oil consumed globally pass —and other strategic Middle Eastern shipping lanes.
The US had officially asked Germany to participate — alongside Britain and France — in the coalition, a request that was declined by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The UK, however, accepted to join the US-led coalition.
Japan has likewise refused to join the force, and France has expressed reservations.
Washington claims Tehran has played a role in two separate attacks on oil tankers in the Sea of Oman in May and June, without providing any credible evidence to support the accusations.
Iran has categorically rejected the charges.
