ERBIL — Israel is preparing to take military action against armed groups in Iraq following a deadly drone attack from Iraqi territory that killed two Israeli soldiers and injured several others in the Golan Heights, according to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth on Saturday.
This incident marks the first time an attack from Iraq has resulted in Israeli casualties.
In response, the Israeli military is reportedly planning retaliatory measures, similar to previous strikes, such as the attack on Yemen’s Hodeidah port controlled by the Houthis after a missile from Yemen killed an Israeli civilian.
At that time, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “When they killed an Israeli citizen, we responded. The fire could be seen throughout the Middle East.”
Israeli officials have hinted at a similar approach in Iraq, saying, “We will find the right response, whether it’s directly addressing the drone attack on soldiers in the Golan or another action. We will certainly respond.”
On Friday, the Israeli military confirmed that the drone attack early Wednesday morning, which killed two soldiers and injured 23 others, was launched from Iraq at around 2:50 a.m. A second drone was intercepted shortly after.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility, revealing that they used an advanced drone model for the first time.
Israeli officials are also concerned about Iran’s growing influence, warning of potential future attacks on multiple fronts.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told The Guardian that Israel has an “urgent and necessary” need to retaliate, possibly with a large-scale airstrike on Iran’s oil industry or a symbolic military target.
Barak referenced Israel’s airstrikes on oil facilities and power stations at Yemen’s Hodeidah port, suggesting a similar large-scale attack could happen, potentially more than once.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden, responding to discussions in Washington about a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s oil sector, said on Thursday, “The answer is no,” when asked if the US would support such an action.
Biden emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense but called for any response to be proportional.
Former US President Donald Trump criticized Biden’s stance, urging Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying, “Hit the nukes first, and deal with the rest later.”
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