The military spokesperson for the Iraqi Prime Minister has expressed grave concerns regarding the recent US strikes in Syria and Iraq, asserting that these actions will yield disastrous consequences for the region. The Iraqi government vehemently condemned what it perceives as a violation of its sovereignty.
On February 2nd, the US military initiated airstrikes targeting over 85 locations associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the militias under its support. This response was triggered by a drone attack in Jordan over the preceding weekend, which resulted in the death of three US troops. The Anbar Operations Command in Iraq reported 16 fatalities and 25 injuries, though an official death toll has not yet been released.
In the aftermath, Iran asserted that the US strikes would expedite the withdrawal of American troops from both Syria and Iraq. Furthermore, Iran contested the presence of Revolutionary Guards in the areas targeted by US forces—an assertion awaiting verification in the ensuing hours.
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, characterized the US actions as “an adventurous action and a strategic mistake” that will escalate tension and instability in the region. He contended that, rather than achieving a reduction in engagement, the attacks would lead to increased involvement by the US government in the region compared to its previous level of engagement.The US decision to strike inside Iraq, relayed to the Iraqi government in advance, was always a high risk since political pressure has been mounting in the Iraqi parliament for months to conclude negotiations that end with an agreement for US troops to withdraw.
Bassem al-Awadi, spokesperson for the Iraqi government, emphasized that Iraq unequivocally rejects the utilization of its territory as a battleground for settling disputes. He stressed the imperative for all involved parties to recognize this stance, emphasizing that Iraq’s land and sovereignty should not serve as a venue for demonstrating power dynamics and sending messages between adversaries.
Simultaneously, Al-Awadi underscored the Iraqi government’s concern regarding the international coalition’s presence, asserting that it has strayed from its designated tasks and mandate. He contended that this deviation has become a source of security threats and instability in Iraq, providing a rationale for the country’s entanglement in regional and international conflicts.
Al-Awadi affirmed the Iraqi government’s commitment to fulfilling its moral, national, and constitutional responsibilities. He pledged that every necessary effort would be exerted to safeguard the nation’s land, cities, and the lives of its citizens across all branches of the armed forces.
Additionally, the spokesperson accused the United States of deliberately misleading public opinion and distorting facts by asserting that prior consultations with the Iraqi government had taken place before the initiation of the attacks.Britain called the US its “steadfast” ally on Saturday and said it supported Washington’s right to respond to the attacks.
A coalition of Iranian-backed groups operating within Iraq has consolidated into a loosely affiliated entity known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, comprising a minimum of six distinct militias. Among these groups, Kataib Hezbollah stands out as the most influential and was recently implicated in a drone attack that resulted in the death of three US soldiers along the Jordan-Syria border one week ago.
In a development two days prior, Kataib Hezbollah declared the suspension of its operations against US bases. However, this assertion was met with skepticism by the United States Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin.
