The United States accuses Abu Baqir al-Saadi of carrying out attacks against its forces (social networking sites)

The Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq confirmed the killing of one of its leaders, called Abu Baqir al-Saadi, by an American march that targeted his car in the Al-Mashtal area northeast of the capital yesterday evening, Wednesday, while the American Central Command announced in a statement the killing of what it described as a senior commander in the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades through a raid on Baghdad. .

Al-Saadi is a prominent leader in the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades. His name is Wissam Muhammad Saber Al-Saadi. He was born in 1974 and belongs to the Popular Mobilization Forces as an advisor, according to identification documents found at the site of the incident.

He is responsible for the drones and missile system in the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, and is also responsible for logistical support and operations abroad, specifically in Syria, and the transfer of weapons.

Washington says that he is responsible for planning and carrying out attacks against American forces, including an attack that targeted one of its bases in Jordanian territory. The operation left 3 American soldiers dead in addition to a number of wounded, and it is the first attack to inflict human losses on American forces since the outbreak of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7. Last October.

An American official said that his country did not notify Iraq of the strike until shortly after it occurred, explaining that prior notification of the strike could not have been provided due to “security concerns.” He added that this strike had been planned “from the moment President Joe Biden ordered the army to review options.” After the attack on Jordan.

The Iraqi factions vowed to respond to the assassination of Al-Saadi, and Abu Al-Walaa Al-Wala’i, leader of the “Sayyid Al-Shuhada Brigades,” said that they would avenge him.

Islamic resistance in Iraq

The guardian of blood

- Abu Alaa Alwalae (@aboalaa_alwalae) February 7, 2024

For its part, the Al-Nujaba Movement in Iraq announced that the response to the bombing that targeted Al-Saadi would be focused and the matter would not go unpunished.

The Secretary-General of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazali, said that Iraq must submit a formal request to the Security Council to demand the immediate withdrawal of foreign forces. He added that the American attacks did not stop despite the government's steps and the factions' commitment to calm.

In this context, the head of the Security Media Cell in Iraq, Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, confirmed that targeting a vehicle belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces is considered an undermining of the understandings with the United States, and described the bombing - in a statement - as “a clear aggression and violation of Iraqi sovereignty.”

Al-Khafaji also added that the authorities hold the American side and the coalition forces responsible for the repercussions that threaten the security and safety of Iraq.

The Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades had previously suspended its military and security operations against American forces with the aim of preventing any embarrassment to the government, against the backdrop of the repercussions of the Jordan attack.

Tower 22 base, which was bombed by the Iraqi Islamic Resistance Movement (Al Jazeera)

American strikes

It is noteworthy that last Friday, the United States launched strikes in Syria and Iraq against targets belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Quds Force, in response to an attack on a logistical base where American forces are stationed in Jordan, close to the borders with Syria and Iraq, on January 28, which led to Killing 3 American soldiers.

Since mid-October, American forces and international coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been subjected to more than 165 attacks, a direct reflection of the war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip.

Most of these attacks were claimed by the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq", which includes armed factions close to Iran.

Washington classifies the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades as a “terrorist” organization and has previously targeted this organization with raids in Iraq. Officials in Washington also said that the attack in Jordan bears the imprint of the organization itself.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies