IDF intercepts two drones from Lebanon

3 drones downed while targeting Eilat, Golan; Iran-backed group in Iraq claims attacks

Islamic Resistance in Iraq, whose attack earlier this month killed 2 IDF soldiers, says it fired on ‘vital targets’ in Israel after army says it intercepted UAVs fired ‘from east’

A Saar-6 corvette, the latest-generation warship which Israel is using for its naval defense system amid maritime threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels, is seen in waters in Eilat, southern Israel, April 16, 2024. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A Saar-6 corvette, the latest-generation warship which Israel is using for its naval defense system amid maritime threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels, is seen in waters in Eilat, southern Israel, April 16, 2024. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The Israel Defense Forces intercepted three drones launched from Iraq early Wednesday, for which an Iranian-backed militia group took credit, as well as two more drones from Lebanon.

Two of the drones were headed toward Eilat, while the third, intercepted over Syria, was aimed at the Golan Heights. The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq group said it attacked “vital targets” in those locations.

The military said all three drones “came from the east,” a term it uses to refer to attacks launched from Iraq.

A few hours later, another drone, launched from Lebanon, was shot down by air defenses over the Ramot Naftali area, the IDF said.

Another drone from Lebanon was intercepted outside of Israeli airspace in the afternoon, the IDF said.

Earlier this month, a drone attack by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq on a Golan Heights military base killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded 24 more.

That attack marked the first time the Iraqi group caused serious casualties in Israel.

The coalition of pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq has claimed to launch numerous drones at Israel since war broke out last year with the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, attack.

They launched near-daily drone attacks on Israel in September, including one that struck the Eilat port, causing damage and lightly wounding two people. The attacks, though still occurring, have since slowed.

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