ISTANBUL

Strikes near the Baghdad airport could threaten the security of a prison housing dangerous terrorists, the Iraqi Justice Ministry said early Sunday.

A statement on Telegram said areas surrounding the Baghdad International Airport and the Al-Karkh prison have been subjected to repeated attacks in the last few days, with the most intense strike occurring Sunday.

“The most intense attacks occurred today, with six strikes occurring between 6 p.m. and now, some of which landed very close to the prison," according to the ministry. "This raises concerns about the potential impact on the security of the prison, which houses highly dangerous terrorist inmates.”

Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, killing some 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.