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by Mick the Ram

In an attack that has been expected for the past 2 weeks, Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel in an act of retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate building in the Syrian capital Damascus, on 1 April, which killed senior Iranian commanders.

This is the first time that Iran has attacked Israel directly, even though the Israelis have not actually admitted responsibility for the consulate strike; but they are widely believed to have been behind it.

Videos portrayed pictures of explosions and fireballs over Jerusalem as Israel’s air defences worked to defeat the unprecedented attack and seemingly very little damage was caused, although a military base was hit, but there were no casualties.

The Israeli military said that they, along with other allied countries, had shot down 99% of the cruise missiles and drones fired at them, intercepting more than 300 mostly outside Israeli airspace.

A seven-year-old Bedouin girl was however severely injured by shrapnel from falling debris in the southern Arad region.

This huge bombardment was launched from several different countries including: Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Yemen.

The Iranians warned that any “reckless” retaliation would receive a “much stronger response”, but it is inevitable that Israel will react and their immediate message was that their response would be “in the manner and at the time of our choosing”.

President Biden said he had reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel”, whilst the ambassadors of the UK, France and Germany were summoned by Iran’s foreign ministry to answer questions over what Tehran describes as their “irresponsible” stance in assisting Israel during the strikes.

Sirens before loud explosions over capital

The first sign an attack was imminent came during the evening when the Israeli army announced its forces were on full alert, adding that dozens of warplanes were in the air. Sirens then suddenly sounded across Israel and loud explosions could be heard over Jerusalem, with the sophisticated air defence system “Iron Dome” shooting down objects over the city.

It quickly materialized that armed forces of allies and partners were assisting to intercept many of the drones and missiles, before they could reach Israel.

“We blocked. We intercepted. Together we will win,” was how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the situation after its conclusion.

An Israeli military spokesman said around 360 munitions had been fired, that included 170 explosive drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles, but very little damage was achieved. One ballistic missile hit the Nevatim air base, in the south of the country, but causing only minimal damage.

​Child in critical condition

Nevertheless, 12 people were injured overall and amongst that number was a seven-year-old girl who was taken to a critical care unit. She suffered head injuries after shrapnel from an intercepted missile fell on her family’s home and a spokesperson at the hospital confirmed that her life was in danger after her condition worsened overnight.

Retaliation has been coming

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was aimed at “specific targets”. This is the first time they have directly attacked Israel, after years of shadow warfare between the two enemies.

It follows the attack on Iran’s consulate building at the start of April which killed thirteen people. One of them was Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who was a senior commander in the overseas branch of Iran’s elite Republican Guards (IRGC).

These two countries were actually allies until the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, which brought in a regime that has used opposing Israel as a key part of its ideology. They do not recognise Israel’s right to exist and essentially, seeks its eradication.

US major role in defence

US President Joe Biden said after the attack, “We helped Israel take down nearly all” of missiles and drones. This was backed by senior US officials who confirmed that the US Navy shot down between four and six Iranian ballistic missiles over the Mediterranean Sea, and aircraft took out more than seventy drones.

Iranian armed forces chief of staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri was quick to warn the US that should they back any Israeli retaliation, it would result in US regional bases being targeted.

Allies in helping hand

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that RAF jets had been deployed in Iraq and Syria to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack and vowed that he would continue to back Israel’s security.

The French have issued an advisory for its citizens in Iran to temporarily leave the country, due to the risk of military escalation.

Following the strikes the Iranian mission to the UN said “the matter can be deemed concluded”, but the likelihood of that being the case seems impossible.