Regional War on the Horizon.. Factions in Baghdad Prepare for Israeli Strike
Mutual threats between Israel and Iran, along with the intervention of Iraqi factions, increase the complexity of the regional scene and threaten to turn the limited conflict into a wider struggle tha
October 9, 2024, 10:29 pm

Regional War on the Horizon.. Factions in Baghdad Prepare for Israeli Strike

الحشد الشعبي

Media sources revealed on Wednesday that armed groups in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have begun evacuating their centers in anticipation of a potential Israeli attack.

This step comes amid a state of anticipation prevailing in the Middle East, where Israel's reaction to the Iranian missile attack that occurred last week is awaited, which came in response to the Israeli military escalation in Lebanon.

Although the Iranian attack did not result in human casualties in Israel, and Washington described it as ineffective, tension still looms over the region.

Coinciding with the launch of dozens of Iranian missiles at Israel, and Washington's pledge to support the latter, Iraqi organizations announced that US facilities in Iraq and the region would be targeted if the United States participates in any response to the Iranian strikes against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that Iran would pay the price for its missile attack, while Tehran warned that any retaliatory action would be met with widespread destruction, raising fears of a wider war in the oil-rich region, which could drag the United States into it.

Iraqi armed groups allied with Iran, including Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Harakat al-Nujaba, form what is known as the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" formation, which in recent months has announced drone attacks on targets in Israel against the backdrop of the war in Gaza.

Since April, Israel has confirmed a number of airstrikes from the eastern side, without accusing a specific party, and has repeatedly announced the interception of drones outside its airspace.

The escalation in Lebanon and the year-long war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip have raised fears of an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, which could draw Iran, as well as the United States, Israel's strongest ally, into the confrontation circle.

The situation in Lebanon has significantly worsened over the past few weeks, with Israel carrying out a series of assassinations targeting prominent Hezbollah leaders, and initiating ground operations in the south before expanding their scope this week.

Hezbollah is considered the most heavily armed group among the organizations and factions supported by or allied with Iran in the Middle East, and it has been exchanging fire with Israel across the border in support of Palestinian factions fighting Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Amidst these charged atmospheres, the region appears to be on the brink of a wider conflict, calling for intensive diplomatic efforts to calm tensions and avoid an escalation that could have dire consequences for the entire region.

Levant-Agencies

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”