An airstrike on the logistics headquarters of an Iranian-backed militia in central Baghdad on Thursday killed a senior militia official, militia officers mentioned. The airstrike was carried out by the United States, a U.S. official instructed CBS News.
Thursday’s strikes got here amid considerations that the Israeli-Hamas struggle has elevated tensions within the area, which may spill over into neighboring international locations. This additionally coincides with Iraqi authorities strongly urging the US-led coalition to withdraw from Iraq.
The Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of militias nominally beneath the command of the Iraqi military, introduced in a press release that deputy chief of Baghdad operations Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, also called Abu Taqwa, was killed. This is the results of America’s brutal invasion. ”
It was not instantly clear who carried out the assault.
Members of Iraq’s Hash al-Shaabi stand guard on the entrance to their headquarters in Baghdad, January 4, 2024, following a reported assault.Ahmad Al-Rubai/AFP by way of Getty Images
Iraqi army spokesman Yehia Rasool mentioned in a press release that the Iraqi army “holds worldwide coalition forces accountable for this unprovoked assault on Iraqi safety providers performing in accordance with the authority granted by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. “There is,” he mentioned. ”
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In a press release, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry known as the assault a “harmful escalation” and mentioned: “Iraq will stand agency and take all crucial measures to discourage those that search to hurt its territory and safety forces. We reserve our rights.”
U.S. army officers and the embassy in Baghdad didn’t reply to requests for remark.
The U.S.-led coalition’s important mission is to help the Iraqi-Syrian militant group, which continues to hold out common assaults in Iraq regardless of dropping management of the territory it as soon as managed in 2017. to struggle in opposition to the Islamic State (ISIS). , the coalition moved from a fight position to an advisory and coaching mission.
The PMF, a predominantly Shiite militia backed by Iran, was additionally key to the struggle in opposition to Sunni extremist teams that overran all of Iraq in 2014. Although the PMF is formally beneath the command of the Iraqi military, in follow the militia operates independently.
One of the officers mentioned al-Saidi was driving into the storage of the al-Nujaba militia headquarters with a PMF member and one other militia chief when their automotive collided, killing each males. did.
Tight safety was deployed across the assault web site on Baghdad’s Palestine Street, and Associated Press reporters weren’t allowed to method the goal space. Iraqi fighter jets could possibly be seen flying overhead.
Since the Israeli-Hamas struggle broke out on October 7, an Iranian-backed militia calling itself the Islamic Resistance Movement of Iraq has carried out greater than 100 assaults on US army bases in Iraq and Syria. Ta.
The group mentioned the assault was in retaliation for America’s help for Israel in its struggle in opposition to Hamas, which has killed greater than 20,000 individuals within the Gaza Strip, and was geared toward forcing American troops out of Iraq.
Thursday’s strike may improve requires the U.S. to depart.
Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani mentioned that though he got here to energy with the help of political factions linked to Iran, he had additionally strived to keep up good relations with the United States. The authorities mentioned it was “continuing to finish the Iraqi presence.” United Nations Forces. ”
The assault additionally got here two days after Hamas deputy chief Saleh Allouri was killed in an obvious Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of Beirut.
Asked whether or not Israel was concerned in Thursday’s assault in Baghdad, an Israeli army spokesperson declined to remark.