Iraq: Iranian commander killed in drone strike near Syrian border November 29

Event

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander was reportedly killed in a drone strike in the Iraqi town of Al Qa'im near the Iraqi-Syrian border late on Sunday, November 29. Syrian sources report that an unidentified drone targeted the car he was driving, killing two other occupants. While it remains unclear who was responsible for the strike, US coalition and Israeli aircraft have previously targeted Iranian linked facilities and personnel in Qa'im and in neighboring Al Bukamal in Syria.

Further attacks against Iranian-linked positions in Iraq cannot be ruled out over the near to medium term. Reprisal attacks against targets in Israel cannot be ruled out in response.

Context

Al Qa'im and neighboring Al Bukamal have witnessed several airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets since 2019, with the attacks often blamed on Israel. Israeli officials have not confirmed responsibility for the attacks; however, this is standard procedure for attacks carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli military has been accused of more than 200 raids on targets in Syria and Iraq over the past two years, many of which have been arms depots and military facilities allegedly receiving arms and fighters from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Advice

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.