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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Most targeted sites completely evacuated before aggression: Sources</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">February 3, 2024<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>The
Iraqi Armed Forces stress that these "strikes" flagrantly violate Iraqi
sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a
significant threat that could drag Iraq and the region into highly
undesirable consequences.</p><img src="cid:ii_ls5awwgc0" alt="84d446ee-c777-4fee-b91e-79deeaf460b9.jpg" width="416" height="354"><br><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
Footage of the recent American aggression on sites in Iraq and Syria on February 2, 2024. (ScreenGrab/ X)
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<p>The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed
Forces, Yahya Rasool Abdullah, stated that the cities of al-Qaim and the
Iraqi border areas were subjected to air “strikes” by US aircraft,
adding that these “strikes” come at a time when Iraq is striving to
ensure the stability of the region. </p>
<p>He emphasized that these "strikes" flagrantly violate Iraqi
sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a
significant threat that could drag Iraq and the region into highly
undesirable consequences. He underscored that the ramifications of these
actions would be severe, particularly jeopardizing the security and
stability of both Iraq and the region.</p>
<p>An official from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior informed <em>AFP</em>
that, based on preliminary information, the American "strike" targeted a
warehouse for light weapons. Concurrently, an official from the Iraqi
Popular Mobilization Forces, speaking to the same agency, emphasized
that the bombing in the al-Qaim area did not lead to any casualties.</p>
<p>Sources to <strong>Al Mayadeen</strong> confirm that most targeted sites had been evacuated before the aggression.</p>
<p>As a result of the aggression, <strong>Al Mayadeen</strong>'s correspondent in Aleppo reported that electricity had been completely cut off in Deir Ezzor.</p>
<p>Furthermore,<strong> Al Mayadeen</strong>'s correspondent in Iraq reported two civilian martyrs in the initial toll of the aggression against al-Qaim and Akashat.</p>
<p>On Friday, the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-conduct-series-of-airstrikes-in-syria--response-for-jorda">United States launched an aggression on different areas in Iraq and Syria.</a> Officials anticipate that the aggression marks the "commencement of a series of retaliatory actions in response to the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-says-3-soldiers-killed--dozens-injured-in-drone-attack-in">deaths of three US soldiers in Jordan</a> earlier this week".</p>
<p>US Centcom claims its forces struck more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria with numerous aircraft including long-range bombers.</p>
<div><p>It claims it struck facilities including "command and control
ops, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, UAV storages, supply chain
facilities belonging to IRGC Quds Force."</p><p> According to a Defense
Department official, the aggression attack utilized long-range B-1B
Lancer bombers. Additionally, a senior administration official clarified
that, as of now, there are no plans for the US to conduct strikes
within Iran.</p></div>
<p>US President Joe Biden stated that he had directed military strikes
on facilities in Iraq and Syria. "Our response began today. It will
continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden said in a
statement.</p>
<p>"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or
anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us
harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."</p></div></div></div>
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