Iraqi Militias Loyal to Iran Threaten US Bases

Iraqi Militias Loyal to Iran Threaten US Bases
The escalation of threats by Iraqi factions loyal to Iran against US forces further complicates the security situation in the region and poses additional challenges for Washington in its support for I
October 2, 2024, 1:17 am

العراق وأمريكا

Coinciding with the Iranian missile attack on Israel on Tuesday evening and Washington's confirmation of its support for Tel Aviv, Iraqi factions issued a strongly worded warning. The so-called "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," allied with Iran, announced that US bases in Iraq and the region would be targeted if the United States participates in any response to Iranian strikes against Israel, or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace to attack Iran.

In a related development, the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, revealed that the "Diplomatic Support Complex" in Baghdad was attacked at dawn on Tuesday, confirming that it did not result in any injuries.

Romanowski stressed the need to stop these attacks, expressing gratitude for the Iraqi government's quick response, and renewing her call for cooperation in protecting diplomatic staff, facilities, and international coalition partners.

For his part, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel will respond to the Iranian missile attack at the time and place of its choosing, indicating the possibility of escalating tension in the region.

This comes at a time when the United States deploys about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition to fight ISIS. Iraqi factions loyal to Iran have repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of these forces.

Following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza last October, some factions targeted bases housing US forces in Iraq and Syria in response to Washington's support for Israel. The United States responded by launching airstrikes on these factions' headquarters in both countries.

Despite Washington and Baghdad's announcement of plans to end the international coalition's military mission in Iraq within a year, details about the future of US forces in the country remain unclear. The Coordinating Body of Iraqi Resistance has called for a comprehensive exit according to a specific timeline.

It is worth noting that Iraqi armed factions loyal to Iran, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Harakat al-Nujaba, have announced in recent months the launch of drone attacks on targets in Israel against the backdrop of the war in Gaza. Israel has confirmed a number of aerial attacks from the east, without making specific accusations.

Levant-Agencies

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