In a significant move to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, an Iraqi militia official has hinted at the possibility of avoiding further conflict in the region. The statement follows recent retaliatory strikes by the United States against various sites in Iraq and Syria. These sites are believed to be utilized by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The Iraqi Militia’s Take on the U.S. Strikes
Hussein al-Mosawi, the spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the primary Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq, expressed his disapproval of the U.S. strikes. In a conversation with The Associated Press in Baghdad, he stated, “Washington must understand that every action elicits a reaction.” However, he emphasized that they are not interested in escalating or widening regional tensions.
Al-Mosawi went on to say that the targeted sites in Iraq were primarily empty of fighters and military personnel during the attack. This statement indicates minimal damage, which could potentially justify the lack of a strong response from the militias.
Impact of Strikes and Fallout
Syrian state media has reported casualties from the strikes but refrained from providing a specific number. However, Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, claimed that the Syria strikes resulted in 23 deaths, all of whom were rank-and-file fighters.
The Iraqi government, on the other hand, reported a higher toll. Bassim al-Awadi, the government spokesperson, stated that the strikes in Iraq, near the Syrian border, caused the death of 16 individuals, including civilians, and caused “significant damage” to homes and private properties.
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iraq’s foreign ministry announced that they would summon the U.S. embassy’s chargé d’affaires to deliver a formal protest. The protest would be regarding the U.S. strikes on “Iraqi military and civilian sites.”
The U.S.’s Motive for the Strikes
The U.S. initiated the air assault as a retaliation for a drone strike that claimed the lives of three U.S. troops in Jordan. The U.S. holds the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, responsible for the attack.
The Iraqi government has been walking a tightrope since the group began launching attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria on October 18. The strikes were described as retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel during the war in Gaza.
In the backdrop of these escalating tensions, Iraqi officials have been trying to rein in the militias while also condemning U.S. retaliatory strikes as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. They have also called for the exit of the 2,500 U.S. troops in the country.
In an interesting development, Kataib Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, announced a suspension of attacks on American troops. This decision was made to avoid “embarrassing” the Iraqi government, following the strike that killed the U.S. troops in Jordan.
This situation in the Middle East is complex and fluid, with each party trying to protect their interests while avoiding a full-scale war. The reactions to the U.S. strikes highlight the fragile balance of power in the region and the high stakes involved for all parties.