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Israel Wants to Stop Iranian Militias from Getting Too Close

(The Times-UK) Richard Spencer - It is now almost certain that Israeli jets bombed Iraq twice last month, for the first time since its air force destroyed Saddam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981. The strikes targeted bases occupied by Iran-backed Shia militias and were said to be storing medium-range missiles in refrigeration trucks. The Iranian medium-range missiles said to have been moved into Iraq have ranges that can reach Tel Aviv. A former director of strategic planning in the Israel Defense Forces, Brig.-Gen. Assaf Orion, wrote in May that his former colleagues believed Iranian rockets were going to Iraqi militias. "It is accepted that militias have developed a line of communication and control to Iran...allowing them to import missiles and equipment without [Iraqi] government approval or knowledge," he wrote. He told The Times that he had no confirmation that Israel was behind the attacks, but added: "If Iran is trying to build it, then Israel is probably trying to nip it." U.S. officials have indicated they knew of the attack in advance, which would in any case be necessary since the U.S. controls the airspace.
2019-08-09 00:00:00
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