Iran will launch missile and drone attacks using Iraq airbase, warns Israeli military website

Tel Aviv: The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have taken control of the airbase near the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Iran is planning to launch missile and drone attacks on Israel by using the base. This information was revealed in an Israeli military intelligence website. The PMF, which is an Iran-affiliated group, had threatened to avenge the attacks carried out by Israel on an army base in Iraq. Therefore, the information the Israeli military website released becomes significant.

The IRGC has taken control of the ‘Sheikh Mazar Airbase’, located nearly 48 kilometres away from Baghdad. The Israeli military website claimed that the IRGC soldiers were carrying out significant construction activity at the airbase and even constructing an airstrip for the fighter jets. Also, a secured shelter is being built at the airbase to store ballistic missiles, attack drones and fighter jets, the website stated.

At the same time, IRGC has deployed the Bavar-373 air defence system for the security of the airbase against any Israeli attacks. The Israeli website asserted that the Bavar-373 was the Iranian version of the Russian S-300 air defence system. Currently, the Sheikh Mazar airbase is under the IRGC’s control, and even the terrorist organisation, Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) has built a base here. The website goes on to warn that the PMF terrorists would launch the attacks on Israel from the base.

Two days ago, the senior PMF commander, Abu Ala al-Walai, had threatened to attack Israel. Walai asserted that the PMF attacks on Israel would be legitimate because of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Four days ago, the Iraqi Prime Minister had accused Israel of being responsible for the attacks on the military bases in Iraq last month. At the same time, the Iraqi Prime Minister had said that their nation had the right to retaliate against Israel’s attacks. The website brought to notice that by taking advantage of the warning issued by the Iraqi Prime Minister, the PMF commander Walai had issued the threat to attack Israel.

Along with the anti-Israel activities at the Sheikh Mazar Air Base, Iraq had opened another avenue for Iran. Two days ago, the Al Qaim border-crossing with Syria was re-opened under orders from Prime Minister Mahdi. The website levelled accusations against Iran stating that it was the first time in the last eight years that the borders were opened and had therefore paved the way for Iran’s missiles and other weapons systems to enter Syria. It would thus enable Iran to supply the weapons stockpile to the Israel border, the website warned.