IRGC Claims Missile Strike on Headquarters of Ahvaz Attack Perpetrators in Syria

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated in a statement that it targeted the "headquarters of the leaders" of the deadly Ahvaz attack in eastern Euphrates, Syria, with "six medium-range ballistic missiles." According to the IRGC's public relations, "a large number of Takfiri terrorists and leaders of the Ahvaz terrorist attack" were killed and wounded, and "their logistical infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities were destroyed." No further details were provided. In a statement released hours after the initial news, it was said that "seven combat drones of this force bombed the positions and headquarters of the targeted group or groups". The statement did not specify the exact location of the attacks or the exact type of missiles used. It is unclear which group or groups were specifically targeted and the exact number of casualties. This statement was released early on Monday, October 1. Fars News Agency reported that "according to information received by Fars reporters, the missiles fired were of two types: Zulfiqar (range 750 kilometers) and Qiam (with a range of 800 kilometers)." Fars did not disclose its source or sources. According to this news agency, an area in "Albu Kamal" in Deir ez-Zor province was targeted. Videos have been circulated on social media, including YouTube and Twitter, claiming that the missiles were launched from Kermanshah. In one of them, it appears that one of the missiles fell near the launch site. Radio Farda is unable to independently verify the content or accuracy of these videos. The attack on the military parade in Ahvaz on September 22 resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people. The UN Security Council condemned it as a "terrorist attack" in a statement issued on October 1. The "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the Ahvaz attack and released a video claiming to show images and statements from three of the four attackers. Meanwhile, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, which claims to have arrested several individuals in connection with the Ahvaz attack, stated that the attackers and the detainees were "affiliated with separatist Takfiri groups supported by reactionary Arab countries." Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, also accused the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which were denied by both countries. Riyadh condemned the accusations against it. The IRGC had previously launched missile attacks on the Deir ez-Zor area in Syria. These attacks were in retaliation for the attacks on June 7, 2017, in Tehran, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility for it. On June 18 of the previous year, the IRGC announced that it had attacked the "command center and gathering and support centers and the construction of suicide vehicles of Takfiri terrorists in the Deir ez-Zor area in eastern Syria" with missiles. In that statement, no specific group was named, and it was stated that the missile attack was directed at "Takfiri terrorists." Following that, Iraqi media reported that the attacks were carried out in "coordination with the Quadruple Operations Room," meaning the joint office of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Russia. The IRGC's missile attack last year on Deir ez-Zor faced reactions. Some analysts described it as a "message" from the IRGC. Some also said that missile attacks would likely have consequences. Mehrdad Boroujerdi, a political science professor in the U.S., told Radio Farda that the attack on Deir ez-Zor has more political than military implications: "This action indicates that Iran's role in the Syrian war is broader than before, sending a message to ISIS and sending a message to Saudi Arabia and its allies." Mr. Boroujerdi emphasized that "the regional policy of the government will face much more problems in terms of political security due to the international consequences of the attacks." The IRGC spokesman described the missile attacks on Deir ez-Zor as "successful" and a "warning message" from the Islamic Republic to the international and regional supporters of the "terrorists." On the other hand, General Gadi Eisenkot, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, stated that "most of the missiles fired by Iran did not hit their intended targets." The IRGC also launched a missile attack on the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the city of Koy Sanjaq, Iraq, on September 8. No further details have been released regarding the IRGC's recent attack. Regional countries or other countries around the world have not yet reacted to these attacks.