An Iraqi militia challenges Washington by persisting in carrying out attacks
The Iranian President asserts that his country will not initiate a war but will respond forcefully to anyone who aggresses against it, in response to American threats of attacks in Syria and Iraq
The Iraqi armed movement, Al-Nujaba, supported by Iran, stated today, Friday, that it will continue to launch attacks on American forces until they withdraw from Iraq and until the Gaza war ends, diverging from the decision of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades to halt attacks to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government after an attack targeting the US army in Jordan resulted in three deaths and dozens of injuries among its ranks.
Al-Nujaba, led by Akram al-Kaabi, stated in a release, “We will not stop until two things are achieved: halting operations in Gaza and the withdrawal of American occupation from Iraq.” This stern stance from Al-Nujaba comes despite talks of efforts by Iran to de-escalate through meetings with militia leaders in Iraq and Syria, while also withdrawing officers from the Revolutionary Guard from Syria amidst ongoing Israeli attacks and fear of imminent American responses, as confirmed by the administration of US President Joe Biden.
It seems that Al-Nujaba’s stance contradicts Iranian desires this time, indicating a rebellion by this faction against complying with Tehran’s decision to de-escalate currently, avoiding American wrath and containing a conflict that could escalate into a broader war not in the current interest of Iranian influence in the region. The Iraqi government faces internal and external pressures regarding escalating tensions and the potential transformation of the Iraqi arena into a battleground in relation to the war on Gaza.
A knowledgeable source revealed to the Kurdish Iraqi news site “Shafaaq News” on Wednesday that Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, visited the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where he met with factions under the banner of “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” to reduce military escalation against the American army after the Jordan attack.
The source added that Qaani made an unannounced visit to Baghdad two days ago, during which he held extensive meetings with several faction leaders to calm the security situation and halt military escalation against American soldiers. Iran has lost several advisors and officers in the Revolutionary Guard in attacks led by the Israeli army regarding the war on Gaza and has vowed to retaliate.
Washington insists on carrying out attacks over several days in Iraq and Syria against various targets, including Iranian military personnel and facilities, as recently confirmed by US officials. In contrast, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated today, Friday, that his country will not initiate a war, but will “respond forcefully” to anyone attempting to aggress against it, in reference to American threats.
Raisi stated in a televised speech, “We will not start any war… but if anyone attempts to aggress against us, they will receive a strong response.” He added, “Previously, when the Americans wanted to negotiate with us, they said the military option was on the table. Now they say they do not intend to engage in conflict with Iran.” Raisi continued, “The military strength of the Islamic Republic in the region does not pose a threat to any country and never has. Rather, it ensures security that the countries of the region can rely on and trust.”
Four US officials stated that the US assessment indicates that the drone that killed three American soldiers and injured over 40 people is of Iranian origin. Amidst escalating tensions, at least three fighters loyal to Iran were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus early Friday, for the second time this week, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. State media quoted a military source stating, “Around 4:20 am today, the Israeli enemy launched an aerial aggression from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, targeting several points south of Damascus.”
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the killing of “three militias loyal to Iran, one Iranian, one Iraqi, and a third of unidentified identity” in the airstrike targeting “a farm belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah militia” south of Damascus, indicating that the targeted location is “on the Qirbata-Sayyida Zainab road.”
Moreover, “Israeli airstrikes targeted a site that had been evacuated earlier in the vicinity of the Al-Dimas area on the road to Damascus International Airport,” as added by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
An Israeli military source stated that the Syrian air defense “intercepted some missiles,” adding that the airstrikes caused “material damage.”
On Monday, eight people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a base belonging to Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the same area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Sayyida Zainab area is a stronghold for groups loyal to Tehran, hosting headquarters for Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
