Washington not kidding around with terrorists: US forces Iran’s arms in Iraq to retreat

Eslam Mohamed

In a remarkable move in light of the Iranian militia crisis in Iraq, Mohammed Mohi, a spokesman for Kata’ib Hezbollah, said that these militant factions had agreed among themselves to stop their attacks on US forces on the condition that the Iraqi government provides a timetable for their withdrawal from the country. He warned that the determination of US forces to remain in the country would only face more violent and fierce attacks.

American threat

The spokesman for this faction, which is one of the most powerful factions supported by Tehran in Iraq, said that there is no specific deadline for the government to implement the decision.

This comes after Washington’s threat last month to close its embassy in Baghdad if the Iraqi government did not curb the Iranian-backed factions that launched attacks on American interests with missiles and planted roadside bombs.

The US warning caused alarm in Iraq, as this was seen as a step toward launching air strikes, which could turn the country into a proxy war zone between the United States and Tehran.

Conditional truce

“The factions gave a conditional truce, and this conditional truce is directed at the Iraqi government in particular, because it is the one concerned with implementing the decision of the House of Representatives,” said Mohi, adding, “The agreement basically includes all the factions… the factions that could also target the American forces.”

A group of militias calling themselves the “Coordinating Body for the Iraqi Resistance” issued a statement on Saturday that they would suspend the attacks in exchange for a clear plan for the departure of US forces, although Mohi did not specify which factions issued the statement.

Iraqis have long feared that their country will become a proxy battlefield, especially since Washington killed Iran’s Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, in a drone strike at Baghdad airport in January. The leader of the Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed in the strike. Factions that were led by Soleimani and Muhandis, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, have vowed revenge for their deaths.

US officials blame Kata’ib Hezbollah for launching dozens of missile attacks on US installations in Iraq, although the militia denies the attacks. Smaller factions, previously unknown, have claimed responsibility for some of the attacks; however, Iraqi security officials believe that these groups may be a front for larger and more dangerous groups.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had ordered the opening of investigations into the incidents of launching a Katyusha missile near Baghdad International Airport and to pursue the perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations and connections, so they can receive the most severe penalties. He directed that all responsible security agencies be suspended, threatening to punish every force for inaction and allowing such security breaches.

Baghdad has witnessed several Katyusha missiles fired at Baghdad International Airport and the vicinity of the US embassy.