2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq

Airstrikes by Israel against Iran-aligned forces in Iraq

2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq

Part of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
| Date| 19 July – 22 September 2019
(2 months and 3 days)

|

Location|

Iraq

Belligerents
Israel[1]|  PMF
Iran (IRGC)
Strength
F-35I Adir[2]
(Alleged by Israel)
IAI Harop[citation needed](alleged by Iran)|  Unknown
Casualties and losses
None|  47 killed[citation needed]
2 injured
1 civilian killed
29 civilians injured

1st strike

2nd strike

3rd strike

4th strike

5th strike

class=notpageimage|

Location of the airstrikes in Iraq

* v
* t
* e

Iran–Israel proxy war

Iran–Israel war

* Background
* Casualties
* Ceasefire
* Economic impact
* List of attacks
* United States involvement
* United States strikes
* Iranian retaliation
* Order of battle
* Responses

2024 Iran–Israel conflict

* Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
* Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries
* Iranian strikes
* April
* October
* Israeli strikes
* April
* October
* Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh

Hezbollah–Israel conflict

* South Lebanon conflict
* Shebaa Farms conflict
* 2006 Lebanon War
* January 2015 Shebaa Farms incident
* Operation Northern Shield
* April 2023 shellings
* Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present) (Killing of Fuad Shukr
* Assassination of Hassan Nasrallah
* 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon)

Gaza–Israel conflict

* Gaza War (2008–2009)
* 2014 Gaza War
* May 2023 Gaza–Israel clashes
* Gaza war

Syrian civil war

* Iran–Israel conflict during the civil war
* Golan border incidents

Houthi–Israel conflict

* Red Sea crisis
* Galaxy Leader hijacking
* 2024 Houthi drone attack on Israel
* Israeli attacks on Yemen
* July 2024
* September 2024
* December 2024
* May 2025

Nuclear program of Iran

* Assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists
* Operation Olympic Games
* AMAD Project
* Bid Kaneh explosion
* Stuxnet
* 2020 Iran explosions
* 2021 Natanz incident
* 2023 Iran drone attacks

West Bank conflicts

* Israei incursions in the West Bank
* 2024
* 2025
* Palestinian Authority–West Bank militias conflict
* July 2024 West Bank unrest
* 2024 PA operation in Tubas
* 2024–2025 PA operation in Jenin

International incidents

* Operation Outside the Box
* 2009 Sudan airstrikes
* 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
* 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats
* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2012 Cyprus terrorist plot
* 2012 Burgas bus bombing
* 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
* 2022 Erbil missile attacks
* 2022 Istanbul terror plot
* 2024 leak of U.S. intelligence on Israeli strike plans
* Attacks on US bases during the Gaza war
* 2024 Erbil attack
* Tower 22 drone attack

The 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq began as unidentified drone or aircraft bombings of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq starting on 19 July 2019.[3] The strikes targeted Iranian proxy groups, based in Iraq, as well as IRGC operatives.

Several Iraqi, Iranian and Israeli officials have blamed Israel for the attacks,[citation needed] though Israel had initially neither confirmed nor denied its role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted responsibility for the attacks on 20 August 2019, claiming that "Iran is not immune anywhere".[4] Israel confirmed responsibility for the strikes on 22 August 2019, which was later followed by a US confirmation.[5][6]

## Timeline

[edit]

### Amirli strike

[edit]

On 19 July 2019 unidentified drones bombed a base belonging to the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces base in Iraq, close to the town of Amirli. An airstrike wounded two Iranians after it struck a base that housed advisers from Iran and Lebanon, while a second strike hit a weapons depot, causing a large fire and the destruction of several ballistic missiles.[3][7] The US Central Command CENTCOM denied responsibility for the bombing.[citation needed]

Iran reported on July 30 that the attack had killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Abu Alfazl Sarabian.[8]

### Camp Ashraf strike

[edit]

On 27 July 2019 Camp Ashraf, one of the biggest bases in Iraq, was attacked by what Iraqi military sources described as one or more Israeli Air Force jets. The attack struck a consignment of ballistic missile launchers and living quarters of IRGC officers and PMF personnel. Some sources reported that up to 40 people were killed in the attack.[9] According to Iraqi and Iranian sources the attacks were carried out by Israeli F-35 aircraft.[10]

### Southern Baghdad strike

[edit]

Explosions rocked a PMF weapons depot in southern Baghdad on 12 August killing one and injuring 29 civilians.[11] A spokesman for Iraq's Interior Minister said that an examination of the warehouse showed that the explosion was not caused by an internal failure but by a third party that attacked the warehouse and caused a fire.[12][13]

Iraq closed its airspace to all unauthorized flights on 13 August, including to the US coalition. Iraqi Prime Minister also ordered all military camps and munitions warehouses to be moved outside Iraqi cities following the explosions that killed one civilian and wounded 29.[14][15]

### 30th Brigade's headquarters strike

[edit]

On 17 August, unidentified warplanes targeted the 30th Brigade's headquarters, which is affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces.[16]

### Balad strike

[edit]

Blasts hit a PMF arms depot on 20 August close to the Balad Air Base. A PMF source said the arms depot was specifically targeted by an aerial bombardment.[17]

### Al-Qa'im

[edit]

On 25 August 2019 a PMF convoy was hit by two drones near the Syrian–Iraqi border town of Al-Qa'im, killing six, including a senior commander. PMF blamed Israel for the attack. It came as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was making a speech in response to an alleged Israeli attack at their stronghold in Dahieh, Lebanon.[18][19]

### Hit strike

[edit]

On 20 September, loud explosions were reported at a warehouse near the city of Hit in Anbar Province, northwest of Baghdad. Sky News Arabic reported that after the blast, shells were launched into neighboring areas, indicating an arms depot may have been hit. Al-Arabiya also reported that the warehouse was used to store weaponry and belonged to the Popular Mobilization Forces. al-Arabiya quoted an Iraqi officer claiming there was a drone in the area at the time of the explosions.[20] As result of the explosions, 21 Iraqi militants of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed.[21]

### Tafuf Brigade strike

[edit]

On 22 September, violent explosions caused by airstrikes took place at a base belonging to "Liwa al-Tafuf" 13th Brigade of the Popular Mobilisation Units. An Iraqi security official told The New Arab that drones may have been used in the attack.[22]

## Responsibility

[edit]

On 22 August 2019 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had been carrying out operations against Iran in Iraq, saying "We are working against Iranian consolidation—in Iraq as well."[5] US officials also confirmed that Israel was behind the attacks later in the day.[6]

## See also

[edit]

* Operation Opera
* Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian civil war

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Netanyahu confirms Israeli military operating in Iraq". Archived from the original on 23 August 2019.
2. ^ "In Major Shift, Israel Twice Struck Iranian Targets in Iraq 'Using F-35'". Archived from the original on 22 August 2019.
3. ^ a b Yeranian, Edward (19 July 2019). "Drone Attack Hits Shiite Militia Base in Northern Iraq". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019.
4. ^ Ahren, Raphael (20 August 2019). "Netanyahu hints Israel behind strikes on Iraq, says Iran not immune anywhere". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019.
5. ^ a b "Netanyahu Confirms Israel Acting Against Iran in Iraq". Homadia. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019.
6. ^ a b Tercatin, Rossella (23 August 2019). "American officials confirm Israel behind strikes in Iraq – report". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019.
7. ^ "Drone targets base of Iran-backed militia in northern Iraq". Fox News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019.
8. ^ "Iran admits a Revolutionary Guard commander killed in an 'Israeli attack' in Iraq on July 19". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019.
9. ^ "Second Israeli attack on Iranian targets in E. Iraq reported by Iraqi sources". Archived from the original on 22 August 2019.
10. ^ Joffre, Tzvi; Ahronheim, Anna (30 July 2019). "Report: Israel launched two attacks on Iranian targets in Iraq in July". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019.
11. ^ Karam, Joyce (13 August 2019). "Explosions at ammunition warehouse kill one and injure 29 in Baghdad". The National. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019.
12. ^ "US and Israel are attacking Iranian targets in Iraq". Israel National News. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019.
13. ^ Ari Gross, Judah; Rasgon, Adam (14 August 2019). "Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019.
14. ^ "Iraq takes security measures following mysterious blasts blamed on Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019.
15. ^ "Iraq closes airspace even to US Coalition flights after suspected Israeli raid".
16. ^ "Satellite firm says images of bombed Iraqi site indicate it was hit in airstrike". Archived from the original on 1 September 2019.
17. ^ "Explosion rocks arms depot north of Iraq's Baghdad". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019.
18. ^ Bakria, Yasmine (26 August 2019). "As Hezbollah Leader Blasts Israel, Iran-backed Militias Struck on Iraq-Syria Border". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019.
19. ^ "Iraq paramilitary: Israel behind drone attack near Syria border". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019.
20. ^ "Blasts reported at Iraqi warehouse allegedly used by Iran-backed militia". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019.
21. ^ Khoury, Jack (10 September 2019). "Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019.
22. ^ "Report: 21 Iraqi Militia Members Killed in Explosion in Iran-linked Arms Depot".

* v
* t
* e

Iran–Israel proxy war

Background|

* Iranian Revolution
* Iran–Iraq war
* 1999 arrest of Iranian Jews

2024 Iran–Israel conflict|

* Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
* reactions
* Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries
* Iranian strikes on Israel
* April 2024
* October 2024
* Israeli strikes on Iran
* April 2024
* October 2024

Iran–Israel war|

* Background
* Casualties
* Ceasefire
* Economic impact
* List of attacks
* United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
* 2025 Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base
* Order of battle
* Reactions

Hezbollah–Israel conflict|

* Lebanese Civil War
* Israeli–Lebanese conflict
* South Lebanon conflict
* 1982 kidnapping of Iranian diplomats
* Assassination of Abbas al-Musawi
* 1992 Buenos Aires Israeli embassy bombing
* AMIA bombing
* 2000–2006 Shebaa Farms conflict
* 2000 Hezbollah cross-border raid
* 2005 Hezbollah cross-border raid
* 2006 Lebanon War
* Assassination of Imad Mughniyeh
* 2008 Israel–Hezbollah prisoner exchange
* 2009 Hezbollah plot in Egypt
* Francop Affair
* January 2015 Shebaa Farms incident
* Operation Northern Shield
* 2019 Beirut drone crash
* April 2023 Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel
* Projectile attacks from Lebanon
* Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
* Killing of Fuad Shukr
* 2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks
* 20 September 2024 Beirut attack
* September 2024 Israeli attacks against Lebanon
* 2024 Hezbollah headquarters strike
* Assassination of Hashem Safieddine
* 2024 Tyre airstrikes
* 2024 Beqaa Valley airstrikes
* 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon
* 2024 Israel–Lebanon ceasefire agreement
* Disarmament of Hezbollah

Israeli–Palestinian conflict|

* Karine A affair
* Victoria Affair
* Klos C cargo ship seizure

Gaza–Israel conflict|

* Blockade of the Gaza Strip
* Gaza–Israel conflict (2006)
* Gaza War (2008–2009)
* Gaza War (2012)
* Gaza War (2014)
* Israel–Palestine crisis (2021)
* Gaza war (since 2023)
* Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh

Syrian civil war|

* Syrian civil war
* January 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrike
* May 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrikes
* January 2015 Mazraat Amal incident
* Qalamoun offensive (May–June 2015)
* March 2017 Israel–Syria incident
* February 2018 Israel–Syria incident
* Operation House of Cards
* September 2018 Syria missile strikes
* August 2019 Syria missile strikes
* November 2019 Syria missile strikes
* January 2021 Syria airstrikes
* Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents
* Hezbollah involvement

Red Sea crisis|

* 20 July 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
* 29 September 2024 Israeli attacks on Yemen
* December 2024 Israeli airstrikes in Yemen
* 26 December 2024 Israeli attack on Yemen
* 10 January 2025 Israeli attack on Yemen
* Israeli attacks on Yemen (May 2025–present)

International incidents|

* Operation Outside the Box
* 2009 Sudan airstrikes
* 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot
* 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats
* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2012 Cyprus terrorist plot
* 2012 Burgas bus bombing
* Yarmouk munitions factory explosion
* 2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq
* 2022 Erbil missile attacks
* 2022 Istanbul terror plot
* 2024 Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria

Nuclear program of Iran|

* Israel and the nuclear program of Iran
* Assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists
* Ardeshir Hosseinpour
* Massoud Ali-Mohammadi
* Majid Shahriari
* Fereydoon Abbasi
* Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan
* Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
* AMAD Project
* Israeli infiltration of an Iranian nuclear archive
* Bid Kaneh explosion
* Stuxnet
* 2020 Iran explosions
* 2021 Natanz incident
* 2023 Iran drone attacks

Related|

* Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy war
* Russia–Hamas relations
* Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy war
* Ahmad Reza Djalali
* Axis of Resistance
* Funding of the Axis of Resistance
* Arab–Israeli alliance
* Abraham Accords
* Warsaw Middle East conference
* People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran
* Little Satan
* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel
* Views on military action against Iran
* Iran and state-sponsored terrorism
* Iranian support for Hamas
* Iranian support for the Houthis
* Israel and state-sponsored terrorism
* Quds Day
* Prisoner X2
* Tehran
* Israeli war crimes
* Palestinian war crimes
* 2024 leak of U.S. intelligence on Israeli strike plans

* Category

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