Israel – US military officials said that Israel “is subjected to daily attacks by drones from Iraq.” They are launched by armed groups supported by Iran, and American forces and partners were forced to intercept these marches.”
An American defense official and a regional security official, who were quoted in the news without mentioning their names, considered the launch of these marches “a problem since the Al-Aqsa flood attack launched by the Lebanese faction movement on Israel on October 7, 2023, and not retaliation by Iran for the Israeli strikes last week.”
They added, however, that “the number of drone attacks has increased in recent weeks.” The regional security officer said, “There was an average of about 5 launches per day from inside Iraq targeting Israel by militias allied with Iran, and within the past week, 8 drones were launched within 24 hours.”
The two officials said, “American and partner forces intercepted the attack drones.” The regional security official added that the ongoing launches “increased the opportunity for Israel to respond directly to those attacks.”
The armed factions in Iraq, supported by Iran, announced in a statement that they had attacked, for the third time since dawn on Friday, “a vital target in southern occupied Palestine with drones.”
She considered this “a continuation of our approach to resisting the occupation, supporting our people in Palestine and Lebanon, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.”
At the beginning of last October, the Israeli occupation army admitted that two of its soldiers were killed and 25 others were injured, two of whom were in serious condition, following an attack by an Iraqi march launched towards the occupied Syrian Golan.
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**Interview with Dr. Miriam Cohen, Middle East Conflict Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. We’ve just seen reports of Iran launching dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel, leading to a significant escalation in the region. Can you give us some context on this situation?
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. Yes, this recent attack by Iran is part of a broader pattern of hostility that has been escalating over the last few years. Iran’s support for armed groups in Iraq and elsewhere has been a persistent threat to Israel. These groups often launch drone and missile attacks, which complicates an already volatile situation in the Middle East.
**Interviewer:** It’s been reported that Israeli military officials indicated these drone attacks occur daily. How does this ongoing threat affect Israel’s military strategy?
**Dr. Cohen:** The daily threat of drone attacks has forced Israel to adapt its military strategy significantly. They have invested heavily in missile defense systems, such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling, to intercept incoming threats. In addition, Israel conducts preemptive strikes against potential launch sites and has increased intelligence operations to track movements of these armed groups.
**Interviewer:** What role do you think the United States plays in this conflict?
**Dr. Cohen:** The U.S. plays a crucial role as a key ally of Israel. They not only provide military assistance but also help in intelligence sharing and strategic planning. The U.S. has a vested interest in maintaining stability in the region and countering Iranian influence, which is why they continue to support Israel in these tense situations.
**Interviewer:** Given the current escalations, what are the potential implications for regional peace?
**Dr. Cohen:** The implications are quite serious. If this conflict continues to escalate, it could draw in other regional powers and lead to wider conflicts, making diplomacy incredibly difficult. There is a real concern that civilian casualties could rise and that it could destabilize neighboring countries too. Diplomatic solutions are essential, but they seem increasingly out of reach as hostilities escalate.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights. It seems we are witnessing a critical moment in Middle Eastern politics.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it is indeed a pivotal time, and all eyes are on the developments in the region.
