Telegram Channels Supporting Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Celebrate Iran's Attack As 'End Of Israel,' Compare It To Battle Of Khaybar

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On the night of April 14, 2024, Iran launched a barrage of 170 attack drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel, with 99% of them eventually intercepted by air defenses. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, no drones or cruise missiles managed to enter Israeli airspace, while a few ballistic missiles penetrated Israel's defenses and struck the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, causing "slight damage."[1]

The attack came after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke on April 10, reiterating a promise to retaliate against Israel for its April 1 attack on the consular building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus. The attack killed senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi and 11 others.[2]

Khamenei's Promise Will Come True In "Historic Slap" To Israel

On April 14, the "Mido" Telegram channel, which supports Iran-backed militias in Iraq, released a poster depicting Khamenei flanked by drones and missiles marked with the Iranian flag. The poster's text reads: "His promise is true," along with the Arabic and English text: "The enemy will regret it and consider it a historic slap."[3]

Iranian Attack Will Be "The End Of Israel"

Another outlet supporting the Iran-backed Iraqi militias, "S-media," released a one-minute 43-second song titled "The True Promise." The video clip depicts missiles and drones being launched, smoke rising from Israeli military installations and infrastructure, and a burning Israeli tank, as well as Abu Alaa Al-Walae, commander of Iraq's Iran-backed Sayyid Al-Shuhada' Brigades, shown in front of a Shi'ite shrine and amid scenes of destruction and displacement caused by Israel in Gaza. The song's lyrics declare: "O those remaining from 'Ali or the steadfastness of Abu Dharr / O missiles of the men [seeking] death, revive them … Abu Alaa has said his word, which is enough … From your decision, spread out / On the enemy rain down / Fire your weapon, do not tire / The enemy's fire will dwindle / America's project has failed … Aim, repeat, you are the helper, purify your land from the occupier …"[4]

S-media's Telegram channel also posted an image of missiles being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome over an Israeli city, along with a quote from Quran 105:3-5: "He sent against them flocks of birds, that pelted them with stones of baked clay, leaving them like chewed up straw." In English, the poster reads: "The end of Israel. These are resistance missiles."[5]

Attack Compared To Battle Of Khaybar

Shortly before the missiles reached Israel, the "Sabereen News" Telegram channel posted an image of a man on horseback, his sword drawn and a lion running next to him, representing 'Ali bin Abu Taleb. The post stated in English: "Dear Zionist Jews, no sleep tonight by the order of Ali Ebn Abe Taleb['s] men."

Shortly afterward, the channel posted an image depicting slain Israeli soldiers on a battlefield with drones swooping down, as a Muslim army on horseback rides onto the battlefield and a man raises a heavy door with one hand. The poster reads: "Khaybar, Khaybar, o Zion,"[6] in a reference to the Battle of Khaybar, in which the Prophet Muhammad's army defeated Jewish tribes. According to Shi'ite tradition, 'Ali lifted the heavy doors of the Khaybar fortress from their hinges and made them into a bridge for the attackers to enter.