‘It's very scary': Impact of Israel-Iran conflict felt in Winnipeg
As Israel began its strikes against Iran Friday, halfway around the world Donya Naghibzadeh and her family started getting urgent messages.
'My mom's best friend had messaged her. She said, 'I just woke up with bombs being dropped in my neighbourhood,'' Naghibzadeh told CTV News.
Her family runs the Tehran Market and Café in Winnipeg, Man. While she was born in Canada, many of Naghibzadeh's family members remain in Iran.
'My grandma's there right now,' Naghibzadeh said. 'She went back home to visit her family and now she's stuck there, and it's very scary.'
Naghibzadeh said the last time she visited Iran was back in 2019, and she's been dreaming of returning ever since. Now she worries that may not happen.
Since Israel's initial strikes Friday, which it said targeted Iranian military and nuclear complexes, the two countries have been exchanging missile and drone attacks.
Death tolls on both sides continue to climb, with more than 200 killed in Iran and 24 reported dead in Israel on Tuesday.
'The Jewish community of Winnipeg prays for Israel and all of its citizens,' said Jeff Leiberman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. 'We hope for an end to the violence and that Israel can live in peace, just like every other country should be able to live in peace, as well.'
He said the federation is monitoring the situation and has had to cancel a trip planned to Israel.
Meanwhile, the conflict has left many in Winnipeg's growing Iranian community with fear and uncertainty, Naghibzadeh said.
'We're scared for our families, and there's not much we can do,' she said, adding she's lost contact with her family members in Iran as internet has been cut off.
The last she heard, a bomb had dropped just a block away from her mother's uncle's home. She is hopeful her family is unharmed.
'I'm scared for what's going to happen to my family. I'm scared for basically what's going to happen to my country,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
McGuinty makes stop in Edmonton for military tour
National Defence Minister David McGuinty made Edmonton a part of his national tour on Thursday, where he met with members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and heard their feedback. The visit comes on the heels of the recent announcement of the federal government's plan to invest $2 billion into its soldiers. He was joined outside the Garrison by Edmonton Centre MP Eleanor Olszewski, who also serves as the minister of emergency management and community resilience, and General Wade Rutland, 3rd Canadian Division Commander with the CAF. McGuinty said much of the discussion with members of the CAF has included details about their new pay packages. Canada announced its plan to boost the salaries of its soldiers for recruitment and retainment on Aug. 8. 'We made it very plain; we need a strong, united Canadian Armed Forces for our future,' McGuinty said in Thursday's press conference. Part of the new investment will also go to members of the CAF fighting wildfires across the country. 'We know that these are individuals that place their own lives at risk in order to help Canadians,' said Olszewski. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Sean McClune
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘A challenging year': Westlock joins several counties in declaring agricultural disaster
Farmers and officials in Westlock County are asking for help from federal and provincial governments because of drought and grasshopper infestation.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury 'the idea of a Palestinian state.'
