Iraqi Intelligence Denies Involvement in Soleimani's Assassination

Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport, which according to Iraqi paramilitary groups were caused by three rockets hitting the airport in Iraq (Reuters)
Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport, which according to Iraqi paramilitary groups were caused by three rockets hitting the airport in Iraq (Reuters)
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Iraqi Intelligence Denies Involvement in Soleimani's Assassination

Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport, which according to Iraqi paramilitary groups were caused by three rockets hitting the airport in Iraq (Reuters)
Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport, which according to Iraqi paramilitary groups were caused by three rockets hitting the airport in Iraq (Reuters)

Iraq’s Intelligence Service (IIS) said its chief Mustafa al-Kazemi was not involved in the assassination of Iran’s chief of al-Quds Force Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi Vice President of Popular Mobilization Forces Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis.

This came in response to earlier allegations by the top commander of Iraq’s Hezbollah Brigades, Abu Ali al-Askari, who claimed that Kazemi assisted the US in bombing the convoy carrying Soleimani and Mohandis, which led to their death along with others near Baghdad airport in January.

Askari tweeted that Kazemi’s name has been suggested as a candidate for the premiership, knowing that he had helped the US to carry out Soleimani's assassination. He described Kazemi’s candidacy as a “declaration of war on the Iraqi people.”

IIS issued a statement saying that some statements circulating on media “offend al-Kazemi and are an explicit threat to civil peace.”

The statement added that the accusations were “groundless” and the missions of the agency are centered on serving the Iraqi nation and its citizens, and are not affected by political affiliations or false accusations aimed at harming Iraq and its security services.

The services called for prosecuting "those use freedom of opinion to promote false accusations that harm Iraq.”

IIS pledged to defend Iraq within the scope of its constitutional duties, saying these duties are determined by the interests of the state, not the emotions and accusations of outlaws.

It asserted that it refuses to be dragged into political issues because it represents the state, not a certain group or party.

Last Wednesday, US State Department has designated Ahmad al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Hezbollah Brigades, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), seeking to deny him the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks.

Counterterrorism Coordinator Nathan Sales said the Brigades continue to present a significant terrorist threat to US forces in Iraq as well as the Iraqi people, adding that the US will intensify its pressure on it.

Earlier, Washington accused Hezbollah Brigades of killing a US contractor who was working at a military base in Kirkuk governorate last December.

US fighters in al-Anbar have bombed Hezbollah Brigades several times killing a number of their elements.

Hezbollah Brigades is one of the most well-equipped pro-Iranian factions compared to other Iraqi state factions. It operates with a high degree of secrecy in Iraq.



Israel Expands Syria Intervention Under ‘Druze Protection’ Pretext

Syrian Druze fighters participate in the funeral of those killed in clashes with Syrian government forces in Sweida on Saturday (AFP)
Syrian Druze fighters participate in the funeral of those killed in clashes with Syrian government forces in Sweida on Saturday (AFP)
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Israel Expands Syria Intervention Under ‘Druze Protection’ Pretext

Syrian Druze fighters participate in the funeral of those killed in clashes with Syrian government forces in Sweida on Saturday (AFP)
Syrian Druze fighters participate in the funeral of those killed in clashes with Syrian government forces in Sweida on Saturday (AFP)

Israel expanded its involvement in Syria, launching one of its most intense airstrikes in years on Friday night and into Saturday morning.
The broad operation included what Israeli media described as “covert operations,” which ranged from air drops of humanitarian aid to evacuating wounded individuals to Israel, along with other undisclosed activities.
The Israeli military carried out an extensive offensive across Syria between Friday and Saturday, targeting military sites, air defense systems, and ground-to-air missile infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the army distributed aid to the Druze community in the southwestern city of Sweida and evacuated five wounded individuals to Israel.
Reports in Israel indicated that a helicopter landed in Sweida, dropped off the aid, evacuated the wounded, and then took off shortly after.
These reports are often used by Israeli media when military censorship prevents the release of details from within the country.
The Israeli military announced that its fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes in Syria, less than 24 hours after targeting a site near the presidential palace in Damascus.
The strikes came amid Israeli warnings to Syria’s new rulers not to harm the country's Druze minority, following sectarian clashes. The military said the raids targeted a military facility, anti-aircraft artillery, and ground-to-air missile infrastructure.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Israel is preparing a list of additional military and government targets for future strikes inside Syria.
The announcement from the Israeli military came about two hours after Syria's state news agency, SANA, reported that Israeli airstrikes had targeted areas near Damascus, as well as locations in Latakia, Hama, and Daraa in the south.
In addition to the airstrikes, the Israeli military confirmed that five Syrian Druze were evacuated to Ziv Hospital in Safed. The army also stated that “Israeli forces are deployed in the southern Syrian region, prepared to prevent hostile forces from entering the area and Druze villages.”
This development marked a significant escalation in Israel's involvement in Syria.
A military analyst writing for Maariv noted that the Israeli military has expanded its intervention in the conflict between Syrian government forces and the Druze, confirming that helicopters transported aid to the Druze forces and evacuated the wounded to Israel.
They mentioned that the Israeli side has refrained from providing further details about the operation.
According to the analyst, there are several reasons for Israel’s intervention in Syria, one of which is the belief that the Syrian Druze could help stabilize the northern Golan Heights.
According to Israeli strategy, the area between the border and 80 kilometers deep inside Syrian territory should remain demilitarized, which is why Israel has a vested interest in supporting the Druze living in this buffer zone.