Washington Warns Iraq of Imminent Israeli Strikes on Faction Sites

Washington Warns Iraq of Imminent Israeli Strikes on Faction Sites
US Warning to Iraq Reveals Qualitative Shift in Confrontation with Israel, Potentially Opening New Front Despite Diplomatic Containment Efforts
November 20, 2024, 8:44 pm

قصف إسرائيلي

Sources told Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath that the US administration informed Iraq it exhausted all pressure mechanisms on Tel Aviv to prevent airstrikes against Iraqi facilities, urging Baghdad to stop armed groups' attacks against Israel immediately.

Sources indicated Israeli airstrikes would be imminent unless Iraqi government deterred faction operations against Israel from its territory.

Iraqi security sources revealed the government took necessary precautions for Israeli airstrikes, adding the Prime Minister warned political forces about escalation if factions continue targeting Israel from Iraqi territory.

Iraqi authorities strongly condemned Israel's Monday UN memo pressuring Iraq to stop Iran-aligned group attacks, considering it a "pretext for aggression."

Government spokesman Yahya Rasool Abdullah announced Tuesday that the National Security Council "categorically rejected the Zionist entity's complaint against Iraq."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar revealed Monday sending UN Security Council correspondence urging pressure on Iraq to end "Iran-aligned militia" attacks.

Iraqi Iran-aligned groups, known as "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," escalated drone attacks on Israeli targets, citing Gaza support. Israel reported intercepting some attacks.

Israel disclosed two soldiers' deaths from an Iraq-launched drone attack in early October. Netanyahu confirmed Israel "defends itself on seven fronts," including "Shiite militias in Iraq."

Baghdad, opposing Gaza and Lebanon wars, increased diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict spillover.

Baghdad stressed Tuesday that "peace and war decisions are exclusively government prerogatives" and maintains measures preventing Iraqi territory's use for attacks.

Tehran vowed revenge for Israeli October 26 strikes, while Israel claimed damaging "part" of Iran's nuclear program.

Kataib Hezbollah clarified November 7 that reports about Iranian retaliation preparations from Iraq were "misleading information leaked to Americans and West."

Sa'ar emphasized Israel's "self-defense right under UN Charter against Iran-backed Iraqi militia aggression."

Baghdad condemned the text as "dangerous escalation and manipulation of international opinion," denouncing Israeli threats to expand regional conflict.

Baghdad supported "targeted brotherly countries," urging parties to "reject escalation, prioritize dialogue, and uphold international law."

Iraq's National Security Council requested UN Security Council "immediate deterrent measures against occupying entity." Monday evening, Iraqi armed groups announced a drone attack on southern Israel.

Levant-Al Arabiya

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