Exclusive: Iraqi groups say Israel fabricated deadly Golan drone attack

Israel’s claim that two of its soldiers in the occupied Golan Heights were killed by an Iraqi drone attack on Thursday is a fabrication, leaders of armed factions and officials from Iraq told Middle East Eye.

Iraqi political and armed forces decided last week to distance themselves from the battles between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and focus their efforts on providing humanitarian and financial support to people affected by Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Palestine.

However, Kataeb Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, two Iraqi armed groups in “the Islamic Resistance in Iraq” alliance, have continued to carry out regular attacks targeting various areas deep inside Israel, as well as the Golan Heights, commanders told MEE.

Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, a smaller faction, provides the necessary support for the operations whenever needed.

On Friday, the Israeli military said two explosive-laden drones had targeted its forces in the Golan early the previous morning. Two officers from the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion were killed, it said, and 24 other soldiers were wounded.

Read more: Exclusive: Iraqi groups say Israel fabricated deadly Golan drone attack