BAGHDAD, April 8 (V7N) – A series of missile and projectile strikes in Iraq has left at least seven dead, including an eight-year-old child, as the country finds itself increasingly drawn into the ongoing Middle East conflict between the United States and Iran. The violence comes just hours before the two countries agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Civilian Casualties: In southern Iraq, at least three civilians were killed in a missile strike on a house in Khor Al-Zubair, near the Kuwait border. Local officials confirmed that the attack, which appeared to come from Kuwait, targeted a residence with five inhabitants, but only three bodies were recovered. Meanwhile, in Baghdad, a projectile hit a home in the Amiriya district, killing two people, including a child, and injuring three others.

Strikes on Pro-Iran and US Targets: Iraq has been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war, with attacks targeting both US interests and pro-Iran groups. The violence escalated as both Washington and Tehran continued their military operations in the region.

Kurdistan Drone Strike: In Iraqi Kurdistan, a drone—allegedly launched from Iran—struck a civilian home in the Dara Shakran subdistrict within Erbil Province, killing a couple. This attack adds to the growing list of casualties caused by cross-border strikes in the region.

Protests and Clashes: Following the strike in Khor Al-Zubair, protesters in Basra attempted to storm the Kuwaiti consulate, expressing anger over the airstrike and Iraq's involvement in the conflict. Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement: The missile and drone strikes in Iraq occurred just hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, narrowly averting further escalation of the conflict. Tehran also agreed to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, an essential waterway for global oil shipments.

International Reactions: The death of civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan has been condemned as a violation of international law and a war crime by local authorities, with Erbil's governor demanding accountability for the attack.

The conflict continues to wreak havoc across the Middle East, with Iraq suffering as a battleground between the US and Iran. The ceasefire provides a brief pause, but the humanitarian cost remains high, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence.


END