IRGC Missile Attack on Northern Iraq and Claims of Strikes Against 'Terrorist' Positions in Syria; US Condemns

Following the confirmation of missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on positions in Erbil, Iraq, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, condemned the aggression and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The spokesperson stated, "We oppose Iran's baseless missile attacks that undermine the stability of Iraq and support the efforts of the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to meet the needs of their people." Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, also referred to claims regarding the targeting of US positions by IRGC missiles, stating that the United States has tracked the IRGC's missile attacks on northern Iraq and northern Syria and confirmed that no US personnel or facilities were targeted in these attacks. News networks 'Kurdistan 24' and 'Rudaw' reported that the IRGC's missile attacks on the evening of January 15 resulted in the destruction of property and homes and the killing of civilians and children. The Kurdistan Region's Security Organization stated that four civilians were killed and six others were injured in these attacks, including a businessman named 'Peyman Dizayi' and several of his family members. This organization described the IRGC's statements about the missile attacks as "baseless claims" and labeled the repeated attacks as a violation of the sovereignty of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, calling on the Iraqi government and the international community not to remain silent in the face of "this crime." Several Iraqi and international news agencies reported in the late hours of January 15 about missile attacks near the US consulate in Erbil, shortly after which the IRGC claimed responsibility for these attacks and asserted that they targeted 'terrorist' positions in Syria. The IRGC issued three separate statements following these attacks. In the first statement, they claimed responsibility for the attack on Erbil but asserted that they targeted "spy bases and gathering places of terrorist groups" with ballistic missiles. The IRGC did not mention the names of these 'spy' or 'terrorist' groups, but a Telegram channel attributed to the IRGC published images of the attacks, stating that the 'American base in Harir' was targeted in the Erbil attack. In their second statement, they announced that in separate missile attacks on Syria, they targeted "the gathering places of commanders and key elements related to the recent incidents in Kerman and Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan." However, international or regional media outlets in Syria did not react significantly to these claimed attacks, nor did they publish any images or footage of these attacks. The IRGC then, in their third statement, claimed that in the attacks around the US consulate in Erbil, they destroyed an 'Israeli Mossad intelligence base.' Tensions in the region escalated; the IRGC claims to have bombarded the positions of 'terrorists' in the area. The British Defense Minister expressed concern; Iran's 83% uranium enrichment has no justification. Tensions in the Gulf of Aden; Houthis claimed responsibility for the recent attack on an American ship. Associated Press: Hamas uses weapons made by several countries, including Iran, against Israel. CENTCOM: Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile attack on a ship belonging to the US.