South Front
Illustrative image. Source: the Israeli Air Force.
Israel is planning a surprise attack against Iran and its allies in the Middle East, a shadowy Iraqi armed group warned on April 27.
The group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq – ‘Ashab al-Kahf, said in a statement that the attack will be carried out by the Israeli Air Force, adding that the United States will help Tel Aviv repel any response by the Axis of Resistance.
Senior intelligence officers from Israel, the U.S. and Ukrainian operatives disguised as NATO officers were recently monitored leaving Iraq through Baghdad International Airport and several airfields in northern Iraq, the group noted. It also revealed an unusual increase in the flights of military cargo planes, drones and fighter jets in Iraqi airspace.
Israel and the U.S. have been coordinating against Iran for decades. Ukraine may have joined in recently as a response to the growing military cooperation between the Islamic republic and Russia.
“We call on the government of [Prime Minister Mr. Sudani to pay attention to what is going on around them,” ‘Ashab al-Kahf’s statement reads. “This time, Iraq will be very effective in responding to such hostile actions against the axis in general, especially if Iraq’s airspace is used.”
The group’s statement implies that Israel is planning to launch strikes against targets in Iran, possibly nuclear sites, from Iraqi airspace.
‘Ashab al-Kahf is one of several pro-Iran groups that emerged in Iraq after the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy-Commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, and Commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Qassim Soleimani, by the U.S. more than three years ago.
Last week, the group warned the Iraqi government over increasing activities by the U.S. intelligence in the country and shared footage showing coalition helicopters, including a Black Hawk upgraded for special operations, flying over unspecified areas.
The U.S. maintains some 2,500 troops in Iraq to counter the influence of Iran, under the pretext of fighting ISIS. Most of these troops are deployed in military installations in Baghdad and in the northern autonomous Kurdistan region.
‘Ashab al-Kahf warning is likely an attempt to deter the U.S. and Israel. The warning came amid a halt in nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, and increasing calls in Tel Aviv to take military action against the Iranian nuclear program.
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