(UnitedVoice.com) – Since February 24, all eyes have been on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but there’s been increasing tension in the Middle East, as well. The Defense Department is looking into several missile strikes that rained down near the new US Consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. The Iraqi government is demanding the international community investigate the attack.
On March 13, Iran attacked the city of Erbil, firing 12 ballistic missiles in what it claims is revenge for Israel’s strikes in Syria that allegedly killed two Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members. Surprisingly, the IRGC immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, something they rarely do.
The ballistic missile attack on Iraq's Erbil was in response to an Israeli attack on an Iranian drone factory, a senior Iran official told MEE https://t.co/eAG936gpTZ
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 15, 2022
The Iraqi Kurdish government claims the missiles were all fired on civilian areas and didn’t target foreign entities, which is why it requested an investigation. A spokesperson for the State Department said US government facilities in the area weren’t affected, and the attack didn’t harm any Americans but did injure one Iraqi civilian. Iran allegedly developed the missiles.
Despite increasing hostility and an unwillingness to comply with provisions, President Joe Biden still seems intent on trying to draw Iran back to the table for a nuclear deal. It’s unclear if this attack could deter those negotiations.
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