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Iraqi militia members during the funeral of a Kataib Hezbollah fighter killed in a U.S. airstrike (Jan. 25 in Baghdad)
Photo: Hadi Mizban / AP
After the deadly attack on US soldiers in Jordan, a pro-Iranian militia from Iraq has announced a suspension of all attacks on American troops. The Kataib Hezbollah group said on Tuesday that they did not want to embarrass the government in Baghdad. A spokesman for the US Department of Defense did not directly address the announcement, but noted that there have been three more since Sunday's attack.
“The Iranian proxy groups” were asked to stop their attacks. "They didn't do that, and that's why we will respond at a time and in a way of our choosing." Washington had previously announced a "very consistent" response to the drone attack that left three dead and numerous injured.
According to the Iraqi government, Kataib Hezbollah's announcement was preceded by negotiations by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani aimed at preventing escalation. Government circles in Baghdad said the attack was "obviously one step too many." Now everyone is at a crossroads.
Three US soldiers were killed and more than 40 injured in the drone attack on Sunday. The USA had declared that the act bore the hallmarks of Kataib Hezbollah. Iran has denied any involvement.
The Hezbollah Brigades is a group affiliated with the pro-Iranian Hashed al-Shaabi network. The network is an Iran-backed coalition of former paramilitaries that was incorporated into Iraq's regular army.
US President Joe Biden has come under domestic political pressure as a result of the attack in an election year: Republicans have accused him of inaction. Biden accused Iran of procuring the weapons for the deadly drone attack. “I hold them responsible in the sense that they provided the weapons to the people who did this,” Biden said. Tehran had denied any connection to the attack.
lpz/Reuters/AFP