Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle.

The recent missile strikes in Erbil, northern Iraq by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have further intensified the already escalating tensions in the Middle East. The IRGC targeted what it described as the “headquarters of spies,” allegedly belonging to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, resulting in causalities and disruptions in the region.

The strikes, carried out in response to perceived provocations by the Zionist regime, have caused civilian casualties, including the tragic loss of an 11-month-old baby. In addition to the attack in Erbil, the IRGC also launched a separate missile attack in Syria, targeting those involved in recent bombings and attacks.

This recent bout of attacks comes amidst the backdrop of heightened hostilities in the region, particularly in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The tensions have led to proxy conflicts between the U.S. and Iran, with both sides backing their respective allies. The Houthi rebels in Yemen, supported by Iran, have also been involved in attacks against Israeli and U.S. entities, fueling concerns of a wider regional war.

The fallout from these strikes has elicited strong condemnation, with the U.S. State Department labeling the attacks as “reckless” and undermining Iraq’s stability. Additionally, Iraqi Kurdish governor Omed Khoshnaw has denounced the strikes as a “terrorist attack” and an inhumane act, emphasizing the resilience of Erbil amidst adversity.