Iraq: Officials suspect that Israel is behind aerial bombings of two storage sites in the eastern canal area of Baghdad.
The sites reportedly held shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft defense systems (MANPADS) that had recently been transferred from Iran to pro-Tehran factions. The attacks follow an explosion on October 17, which the Popular Mobilization Forces described as being in a warehouse, and are part of a series of targeted explosions in drone and weapons warehouses throughout the capital since October 1. Iraqi political and intelligence circles firmly see a secret Israeli attempt to cut off supply lines and eliminate the military capabilities of the Iraqi factions in preparation for a possible regional escalation. Violations of Iraqi airspace have continued since the US-led international coalition withdrew on September 30.