How does the Iraqi Prime Minister confront Iranian threats and the US presence?
During the past period, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has sparked a lot of controversy regarding his support for the US presence in the country and its impact on pro-Iranian parties in Iraq.
The United States signed the Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq during the government of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in 2009, through which Washington declared its commitment to supporting Iraq in various fields. This created panic among Iranians who view Iraq as a platform for their ambitions.
Cooperation between the United States and Iraq worries Iran
Recently, an Iranian-affiliated faction in Iraq, known as the Coordinating Committee for Iraqi Resistance, issued threats to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to limit American violations.
The committee released a statement confirming its role in prioritizing the interests of the Iraqi people and empowering them, especially in light of the recent political, security, and economic developments that have affected the country. As part of its measures, the committee announced the suspension of military operations against the American military presence inside Iraq.
However, the committee emphasized that this should not be understood as acceptance of the continuation of this illegitimate and unlawful presence that violates the Iraqi constitution. They are aware of the US intervention in the country’s affairs and the violation of its sovereignty.
The committee also confirmed the continued existence of military bases, combat forces, military aircraft, including drones, as well as the destructive role played by the American embassy in spreading immorality, targeting the Iraqi cultural identity and its authentic values and traditions. They also mentioned the malicious efforts to control the rights of Iraqis and deprive them of basic services, including the provision of electricity to the people. In addition, the explicit threat by the US to target one of the resistance leaders requires us to fulfill our legitimate and national duty to respond appropriately if these violations continue.
This comes amid US praises for cooperation with Iraq in various fields, as the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, expressed her appreciation for the cooperation between her country and the Iraqi government at all levels.
Continuous threats
According to informed sources, Iranian-backed armed factions in Iraq, which oppose the US presence, have reported that the US Ambassador Alina Romanowski informed some political parties that “the United States might target some Iraqi leaders, including the leader of the Al-Nujaba Movement, Akram al-Kaabi, due to their attacks on American interests.”
Al-Kaabi has repeatedly criticized the United States, while leading the Shiite coordinating framework, which is loyal to the current government and seeks to enhance its external relations with all countries, including the United States, based on common interests.
In the same context, media reports indicate that the Iraqi Prime Minister is facing significant threats due to his continued support for the US presence in Iraq without specifying a timetable for their withdrawal. He emphasizes their importance in the fight against ISIS.
Abdul Kareem Al-Wazan, an Iraqi political science professor, says that Al-Kadhimi faces significant threats during this period because of his support for the US presence in the country, despite his primary loyalty to Iran and the pro-Mullah parties in Iraq.
He added that the need for foreign forces is still present, and eliminating ISIS requires more time. This refers to the US forces and NATO forces that train and assist Iraqi units in combating the terrorist organization, but they remain largely separate from actual combat.
