Last night Iran launched a massive drone and missile attack against Israel in retaliation for the Hebrew state’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. So far, no casualties have been reported. But the risk of escalation is worrying the international community.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on the social network X: “The evil Zionist regime will be punished”. He was reacting to last Monday’s Israeli raid on the Iranian embassy annex in Damascus, Syria, which left eleven people dead, including seven Revolutionary Guards. The retaliation was launched on Saturday night, April 13, 2024.
Firing from Yemen and Lebanon
According to the estimates of several observers, between 400 and 500 attack drones and 150 cruise missiles were sent by Iran. The drones were launched from the Iranian province of Kermanshah and several other western regions, reported the Al Arabiya news agency. At the same time, Iran’s allies, the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Houthis, carried out anti-Israeli attacks.
ABC television reported that only Israeli military installations would be considered as potential targets, to avoid civilian casualties. The Islamic Republic of Iran claims to have acted “in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter on self-defense in response to multiple acts of military aggression”.
99% of drones and missiles intercepted, according to Israel
According to Al Arabiya, the Saudi news channel, the American and British military have shot down around a hundred Iranian drones. Numerous drones have also been shot down over the Jordanian capital, Amman. In the end, Israel’s air protection shield, the Iron Dome, intercepted 99% of the drones and missiles targeting the Hebrew state.
However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iranian forces struck an Israeli base in the Negev desert with Kheybar ballistic missiles. The extent of the damage is unknown.
In Israel, the population has been prepared for this attack. Schools have been closed until Monday, and gatherings of more than 1,000 people have been banned. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Hebrew state was ready to face up to the situation and would strike at anyone who attacked it.
Concern in the international community
Many Western countries have declared their support for Israel. In particular, US President Joe Biden assured the Jewish state of Washington’s unwavering support. The European Union’s representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, also condemned the Iranian attack.
France, through its President Emmanuel Macron, unreservedly supports Israel. “I express my solidarity with the Israeli people and France’s attachment to the security of Israel, our partners and regional stability”, declared the head of state, “France is working with its partners to de-escalate the situation”. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The fact remains that this attack could provoke an Israeli riposte, escalating the situation and setting the whole region ablaze. Even if Iran now claims that “Operation Honest Promise was carried out successfully and achieved all its objectives”, thus considering that, on the Iranian side, vengeance has been avenged.
L’Iran a publié une vidéo montrant des armes utilisées contre Israël pic.twitter.com/fMvRfh6o03
— A__SAMEDI (@_samedi_) April 14, 2024
“Ce n’est pas les iraniens qui ont décidé d’internationaliser le conflit, c’est Netanyahou. Si il arrive à mettre la communauté internationale au pied du mur, il peut continuer à massacrer à Gaza”
Pierre Conesa, spécialiste international dans le #GrandRDV pic.twitter.com/IoPD219VhE
— Europe 1 (@Europe1) April 14, 2024