Iraq Condemns US Airstrikes That Killed Iran-Linked Militants

A US army soldier stands with his weapon at a military base in the Makhmour area near Mosul during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, October 18, 2016.
A US army soldier stands with his weapon at a military base in the Makhmour area near Mosul during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, October 18, 2016.

Iraq says overnight US airstrikes south of Baghdad that killed eight members of Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah was a "dangerous escalation."

Condemning the strikes, Baghdad said Wednesday that the operation was not coordinated with authorities. The Iraqi government labeled the US attacks "a clear violation of sovereignty and an attempt to disrupt the stable internal security situation," while also noting attacks by armed groups went against Iraq's national interest.

The US has carried out two series of strikes in Iraq since Tuesday, a response to more than 60 attacks by Iran-linked militias in the region. The US had previously undertaken three separate sets of strikes in Syria in response to the attacks, which began on October 17 by Iraqi militia groups in reaction to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza following October 7 bloody invasion of Israel by Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The recent strikes destroyed a Kataib Hezbollah operations center and a command and control node. This marks a departure from the US's previous reluctance to retaliate in Iraq due to the delicate political situation in Baghdad, where they sought closer cooperation.

Kataib Hezbollah, based in Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad, confirmed the death of eight of its members in the airstrikes and issued a threatening statement, warning of more attacks on a broader range of targets if US strikes persist.

The airstrikes have resurfaced the challenges faced by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in controlling Iran-backed factions. These factions played a crucial role in securing his support to win power a year ago and now constitute a powerful bloc in his governing coalition. The diverse views among these factions regarding actions against US forces further complicate the situation.