Yesterday, Iran launched ballistic missiles armed with conventional warheads at various targets in Iraq and Syria.
One target was in Erbil, northern Iraq, a semi-autonomous region populated by Kurds (ref. 1). According to Iran, the site was used as an espionage headquarters by Israel’s Mossad. Whether the strike was precise or not, a villa belonging to a Kurdish businessman was hit. At least four civilians were killed and six others were injured.
Other sites in Erbil were also hit by Iranian missiles. These had to do with expat Iranian opposition groups (ref. 1).
Iraq, normally allied to Iran, has described the strikes as a blatant violation that undermines the sovereignty of the Kurdistan region and Iraq.
Separately, Iran also fired at parts of Syria, at sites that Iran says are control by “anti-Iran terror groups”, presumably ISIS (ref. 2). So, these strikes constitute retaliation for the attack by ISIS at the memorial of Qassem Soleimani.
All that was yesterday.
Today, Iran launched drones and rockets at two sites of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan province, Pakistan (ref. 2). The attacks also damaged a Sunni mosque nearby. Pakistan called it an “unprovoked violation of its airspace” and warned of “serious consequences” (ref. 2). Apparently, last month, Jaish al-Adl militants from Pakistan stormed an Iranian police station over the border and killed eleven Iranian police officers (ref. 2). Jaish al-Adl is a separatist group that occasionally carries out attacks on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border. But the border itself is not contested by Iran and Pakistan. This attack by Iran is unprecedented, because Pakistan is a nuclear weapons state.
By the looks of things, a Sunni versus Shia war, involving ISIS and Pakistan and Iran, is about to begin. As I have said before, soon the prophesied beast with seven heads and ten horns must form.
In other news, the USA and the UK recently launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, after the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile. The Houthis have been firing at and sometimes boarding various commercial ships transiting the Red Sea since October last year. Besides striking bases and facilities in Yemen, America is also raiding vessels and seizing Iranian made missile parts en route to the Houthis (ref. 3).
American bases in Iraq and Syria have also come under attack by militias loyal to Iran.
So, right now, there is a three way conflict going on. At some point, ISIS will dominate and assert its authority over Muslims the world over. When that happens, a caliphate will form. This is the fourth beast. Then, Babylon and the beast will go at it, until one submits to the other.
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 17:16-18
When that contest ends, the whole world will see Babylon for who she truly is.
References:
1. Hamdi Alkhshali, Nechirvan Mando and Helen Regan (16 Jan 2024), “Iran launches missile strikes in northern Iraq and Syria, claims to destroy Israeli spy base”, cnn.com
2. Julian Borger (17 Jan 2024), “Iran strikes militant bases in Pakistan in latest Middle East flashpoint”, theguardian.com
3. ABC (17 Jan 2024), “US strikes more Houthi targets in Yemen after Greek ship becomes latest vessel struck in Red Sea”, abc.net.au