Pro-Iran groups in Iraq launch missiles at Israel amid Lebanon escalation

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-backed armed groups, launched drones and ballistic missiles at Israeli military installations on Sunday in a significant escalation of hostilities.

The attacks come as Israel continues its attacks on Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon. They targeted bases in Israel and the Israel-occupied Golan Heights area of Syria.

In a statement released early Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq declared, "In continuation of our resistance against the occupation [Israel], in support of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the occupying entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, we targeted our northern occupied lands using Arqab cruise missiles’."

The group vowed to intensify its campaign, stating it would increase the frequency of attacks on "enemy strongholds."

Further statements by the group claimed responsibility for striking a military base in northern Israel and other targets in southern and northern Israel.

The Israeli military reported intercepting several cruise missiles and explosive-laden drones fired from Iraq towards the southern Golan Heights. Israeli media said that there was no reported damage or casualties.

Iraq's weak central government, sectarian divisions, and the presence of powerful pro-Iranian militias could easily pull it into a wider regional conflict if Israel continues its war on Gaza and escalation in Lebanon.

Tensions have surged on the Lebanese front, where Israel launched extensive airstrikes over the weekend against southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has in retaliation launched rockets deep into northern Israel.

Hezbollah disclosed that their latest offensive included the use of new missile technology targeting key Israeli military sites, including the Rafael military industrial complexes near Haifa and the Ramat David airbase.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq linked its intensified attacks to Israel's war on Gaza, which began on October 7 and has since claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives. 

The group also highlighted its numerous attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria, which have drawn retaliatory US airstrikes, with some speculated to have in fact been carried out by Israel.