BAGHDAD: Iraq summoned Iran's envoy in Baghdad and recalled its ambassador from Tehran on Tuesday in a sharp rebuke to its ally over deadly missile strikes on its autonomous Kurdish region.
Iraq challenged Iran's claim that the strikes targeted Israel's intelligence services in response to recent Israeli assassinations of Iranian and pro-Iranian commanders.
It said it would lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council over the Iranian "attack on its sovereignty".
Iran's strikes, which also hit alleged Daesh group targets in Iraq's western neighbour Syria, came with tensions high across the Middle East as Israel battles Iran ally Hamas and drew condemnation from the United States.
Four people were killed and six wounded in the strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan, the region's security council said.
The casualties included prominent real estate magnate Peshraw Dizayee, his wife and other family members who were hit by a strike on their home, the region's leading party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said.
Iran defended its missile strikes in Iraq and Syria, saying they were a "targeted operation" and "just punishment" against those who breach the Islamic republic's security.
"The Islamic republic, with its high intelligence capability, in a precise and targeted operation identified the criminals' headquarters and hit it with precision weapons," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had destroyed the "Zionist regime's spy headquarters in the Kurdistan region of Iraq."
The strike came "in response to the recent vicious actions of the Zionist regime which martyred the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and the resistance front," a Guards statement carried by Iran's official IRNA news agency said.
Senior Guards commander Razi Moussavi was killed in a strike in Syria last month that was widely blamed on Israel. This month, Hamas number two Saleh al-Aruri was killed in a Beirut strike that Lebanese officials blamed on Israel.
The Guards said their reprisals "will continue until the last drops of blood of the martyrs are avenged."
But after a visit Tuesday to the scene of the strike, Iraq's National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji dismissed Iran's claim it had hit an Israeli intelligence base, saying it struck a businessman's family home.
"Concerning the alleged presence of a headquarters of Israel's Mossad, we visited the house, we inspected every corner of it and everything indicated that it was the family home of an Iraqi businessman," Araji told Kurdish television station K24.
The US State Department condemned the "reckless" Iranian strikes, saying they undermined Iraq's stability.
Iraq has seen an surge of unrest since Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, prompting devastating Israeli retaliation carried out with US support.
Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq and Syria have carried out a spate of attacks on military bases in the two countries used by soldiers of a US-led coalition against Daesh.
Washington has responded with missile strikes targeting the Iran-backed groups that have also drawn condemnation from Baghdad as a breach of its sovereignty.
In November 2022, Iran launched missile strikes against the northern Iraqi bases of Iranian-Kurdish rebel groups it accused of fomenting a wave of protests that swept the country after the death in custody of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini.
In March 2022, the Guards carried out missile attacks in Arbil that it said targeted a "strategic centre" operated by arch foe Israel.
Contacts with Israel are outlawed in Iraq but some politicians and businessmen in Arbil have in the past been accused of maintaining informal ties. The Iraqi Kurdish authorities deny any contacts.
In Syria, the Guards said the strikes against alleged Daesh targets were in response to recent attacks in Iran.
On January 3, Daesh suicide bombers struck crowds gathered near the tomb of Guards general Qasem Soleimani in Kerman, killing around 90 people.
In December, an attack claimed by extremist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) killed at least 11 police officers in Iran's southeast.
Iraq recalls Iran envoy in rebuke to ally over deadly strikes
https://arab.news/gw8pj
Iraq recalls Iran envoy in rebuke to ally over deadly strikes
- Iraq challenged Iran's claim that the strikes targeted Israel's intelligence services
- It said it would lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council over the Iranian "attack on its sovereignty"
Turkiye attacking Kurds in northern Syria will be dangerous, Iraqi FM tells Davos
- Attacking Kurdish forces in northern Syria would create more refugees, Hussein told WEF
DAVOS: Turkiye attacking Kurdish forces in northern Syria would be dangerous and would create more refugees in neighboring Iraq, said Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s foreign minister, at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.
Regional leaders discuss key Middle East issues at WEF
DAVOS: During the World Economic Forum, key Middle Eastern leaders addressed pressing regional issues, highlighting the importance of cooperation and political solutions for lasting peace.
Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Al Safadi, emphasized the need for understanding the root causes of conflicts, particularly the October 7 incident, in order to prevent future violence. He reiterated Jordan's commitment to partnering with the US to promote peace in the Middle East.
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, voiced concerns about the impact of international sanctions, stating that their removal is crucial for Syria’s development and a better future for its people. He also called for greater support in advancing Syria’s political process.
Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, warned that instability in northern Syria could lead to an influx of refugees into Iraq and jeopardize security, particularly with the potential release of thousands of terrorists from prisons in the region. He also expressed concern about the ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic approach.
Jordan’s crown prince meets Bahrain, Kurdistan leaders in Davos
- Crown Prince Hussein seeks to boost cooperation in the region
- Joins session on artificial intelligence, global skills development
DUBAI: Representing King Abdullah at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah held meetings recently with regional leaders to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to fostering cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the region.
The crown prince met with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, head of Bahrain’s delegation, to discuss ties between the two nations, according to reports.
Their talks focused on enhancing economic and technological cooperation and advancing training programs to help young people prepare for the workplace.
In addition, they reviewed regional developments, stressing the importance of sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a separate meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the discussions focused on relations between Jordan and Iraq.
The officials also spoke about boosting collaboration, especially in economic and technology fields, and addressing key regional issues.
The crown prince also participated in a session on enhancing the skills and productivity of people in the age of artificial intelligence.
The session addressed the WEF’s 2020 initiative to train 1 billion people globally by 2030, which is aimed at closing skill gaps and preparing workers for rapid technological advancements.
The participants at the 55th WEF, held under the theme “Cooperation for the Smart Age,” include heads of state, global CEOs and entrepreneurs, who have gathered to discuss strategies for growth, investing in people, and managing challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
The crown prince was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Nawaf Al-Tal, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Dr. Zaid Al-Baqain.
Hundreds leave West Bank camp during Israeli raid: Palestinian official
- The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
Jenin: A Palestinian official said hundreds of residents of the occupied West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp were leaving their homes Thursday, days into a large-scale Israeli raid in the area.
“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” where Israel’s military launched an intense military operation this week, Jenin governor Kamal Abu Al-Rub told AFP.
The army told AFP that it was “unaware of any evacuation orders for residents in Jenin as of now.”
Salim Saadi, a Jenin resident who lives on the edge of the refugee camp, told AFP that the army had asked camp residents to leave between 9:00 am (0700 GMT) and 5:00 pm.
“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” he said.
“The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”
The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
The offensive began just days after a ceasefire deal paused fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli assault has killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Operation Iron Wall,” as it has been dubbed, will “eradicate terrorism” in the West Bank city known as a bastion of Palestinian militancy.
Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank
- The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30
Ramallah: The Israeli military said Thursday it killed two Palestinian militants overnight near the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, where a large-scale raid is underway, accusing them of murdering three Israelis.
In a statement, the military said that Israeli forces found the two militants barricaded in a house in the village of Burqin.
“After an exchange of fire, they were eliminated by the forces,” it said, adding one soldier was injured in the exchange.
The military identified those killed as Mohammed Nazzal and Qutaiba Shalabi, accusing them of being “affiliated with Islamic Jihad” and responsible for a deadly shooting on an Israeli bus in early January.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30.
“The bodies are being withheld” by the army, it added in a statement.
Three Israelis were killed and six injured in a January 6 attack near the village of Al-Funduq, also in the West Bank.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said at the time he had directed the military to “act with force” to find the attackers, vowing on X that “anyone who... enables or supports the murder and harm of Jews will pay a heavy price.”
The night that followed the attack saw several instances of violent altercations with settlers in that part of the West Bank, including in the village of Hajja, whose mayor told AFP it had come under attack.
Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 850 Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict began.
During the same period, at least 29 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the territory, according to Israeli official figures.
