Israel and US launch ‘Roaring Lion’ operation against Iran, with Iranian forces responding in multiple countries across the region.
Israel and US Joint Operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and US Armed Forces began a joint operation on February 28, which according to the IDF aims to “completely destroy the Iranian terrorist regime and gradually eliminate existential threats to Israel.” Tel Aviv named it “Roaring Lion,” while the US called it “Epic Fury.” According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), attacked targets included command and control facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian air defense systems, rocket and drone launchers, and military airports.
As reported by Gazeta.pl, Iranian forces responded with numerous attacks.
Fatalities in Iran
According to information released on Monday (March 2) by the Iranian Red Crescent, Israeli-American attacks occurred in 131 cities across Iran, resulting in 555 deaths. Humanitarian efforts are currently underway, aiming to rescue, assist, transport, and provide medical care to those in need. Over 100,000 rescue personnel and approximately 4 million volunteers remain “fully ready” for this purpose.
During Saturday’s attacks, the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ primary school in Minab was hit. “The destroyed building is a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight when it was full of young female students. Dozens of innocent children were murdered in this place alone. These crimes against the Iranian nation will not go unanswered,” wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi on X.
Lebanon
The Public Health Crisis Operations Center of Lebanon’s Ministry of Health issued a statement informing that Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut suburbs and southern Lebanon caused, according to preliminary data, the deaths of 31 citizens and injuries to 149 others. The casualty breakdown is as follows: southern suburbs: 20 dead and 91 injured; southern Lebanon: 11 dead and 58 injured.
Israel
Israel’s national medical rescue service Magen David Adom reported on Facebook on March 1 that in an Iranian attack on the town of Beit Shemesh – near Jerusalem – nine people were killed and 20 were injured. “Some were trapped under the rubble. Others required immediate medical assistance and were in critical condition. Eli and his team began providing assistance to the injured, while simultaneously assessing the scale of the incident,” said medical rescuer Eli Eisenbach from the city of Beitar Illit. According to The Jerusalem Post, additionally, a woman around 60 years old died after evacuation to the emergency department of Ichilov Hospital at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Jordan after Attacks
Al Jazeera reported that in Iraq, two fatalities and five injuries were confirmed, in Qatar approximately 16 injured, in Oman five injured, and in Jordan no one was killed or injured.
Saudi Arabia
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense reported on March 1 that since the beginning of the Iranian attack (February 28), 165 ballistic missiles were detected launched from Iran towards the UAE. “Of these, 152 were destroyed, and 13 fell into the sea. Two cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed. A total of 541 Iranian drones were detected, of which 506 were intercepted and destroyed, and 35 fell on the country’s territory, causing material damage,” wrote the ministry. These incidents resulted in the deaths of three individuals of Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi origin, and 58 minor injuries among citizens of the Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, and Afghanistan.
Kuwait
Regarding the situation in Kuwait, on March 1, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, stated: “We have received 33 injury reports related to the regional situation.” The next day, 19 new cases were confirmed. The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), citing the Ministry of Health, reported one death and 32 injuries. “All foreign nationals were admitted to the emergency department of Al-Adan Hospital due to the current regional situation,” wrote the ministry.
Bahrain
“A fire broke out on a foreign vessel in Salman’s industrial district as a result of falling debris from an intercepted missile. The fire resulted in the death of an Asian worker and serious injuries to two other individuals. The fire has been brought under control and extinguished,” reported Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior on March 2.
