In a strongly worded statement, Iraq has expressed vehement condemnation of a recent drone strike carried out by the United States on the headquarters of its Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in eastern Baghdad. The strike resulted in the tragic death of three individuals, including a commander affiliated with the Nujaba resistance movement.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office issued the statement on Thursday, labeling the attack as a "dangerous escalation" and a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty. The statement squarely placed the responsibility on the US-led coalition, stressing that the Iraqi Armed Forces hold them accountable for the unwarranted assault on a security entity operating within the authorized powers of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Furthermore, the statement warned that this drone strike would undermine the existing understandings between Iraq's armed forces and the US-led coalition troops. It characterized the attack as an "assault on Iraq," asserting that it deviates from the spirit and text of the coalition's mandate and mission in the country.
In a separate development in Baghdad, a group of Iraqi lawmakers is calling for the expulsion of the US ambassador in response to the escalating tensions. The move reflects a growing sentiment among some Iraqi officials demanding a stronger stance against perceived infringements on the nation's sovereignty.
This incident comes in the context of heightened resistance activities in Iraq against US military bases and facilities, which have reportedly seen over 100 operations by Iraqi resistance groups since Israel initiated its invasion of the besieged Gaza Strip in early October. The resistance groups view these actions as a response to Washington's unequivocal support for Israel during the ongoing hostilities in Gaza. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, with Iraq expressing its dissatisfaction with perceived violations while tensions continue to escalate on multiple fronts.
