Presidencies in Iraq are racing against time to avoid the American threat

by **Rocky** Mon 28 Sep 2020, 7:50 am

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Presidencies in Iraq are racing against time to avoid the American threat

by Rocky Mon 28 Sep 2020, 7:50 am

[size=32][rtl]Presidencies in Iraq are racing against time to avoid the American threat[/rtl]

September 27, 2020
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[rtl]Representatives believe that there will be clashes between militias loyal to Iran and US forces
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Baghdad - time

Washington, whose forces and interests in Iraq are being attacked almost daily, has threatened to close its embassy in Baghdad, Which could lead to a devastating blow to Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, who is seen as A prominent ally of her, while the political leaders, especially the government, took the threat seriously, and the presidencies confirmed The three and the judiciary, during its meeting on Sunday, stressed the need to confine weapons in the hands of the state, protect diplomatic missions and confront actions Outlaw against the country's security and sovereignty For his part, said the deputy from the Sadikoun parliamentary bloc, Ahmed Al-Kanani On Sunday, the parties that target diplomatic missions are ideological and do not count against the resistance factions Armed confrontations occurred between the resistance factions and the US forces.

Al-Kinani said in a local statement, that «the political forces with imposing the prestige of the state and restricting the escaped weapons and go Towards holding early elections, stressing that "targeting diplomatic missions is unacceptable."

The MP for Sadikoun, the parliament, noted that «the bodies that target diplomatic missions have specific ideologies and are not considered Against the resistance factions, and we are not responsible for them, "noting that" the government is obligated to provide protection. " For diplomatic missions, otherwise the government will fall into great embarrassment in front of the international community if the targeting of diplomatic missions on the territories continues Iraq ». He pointed out that «the US embassy contains weapons that enable it to declare war on the Islamic Resistance factions He called on the political forces and the Iraqi government to "abide by the decision to remove American, Turkish and other forces." Foreign forces ». Al-Kinani suggested, “Armed confrontations occur between the resistance factions and the American forces, and these confrontations will not happen In the interest of anyone, ”stressing that“ the political solution is to remove the American forces from the country and take advantage of the capabilities America, on the economic and investment side, is the only solution to end this crisis. " For his part, Speaker of Parliament Muhammad al-Halbousi assured the US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, that the Iraqi government Keen to preserve the security of diplomatic missions from repeated attacks. In the same regard, Iraq was caught long ago in the midst of disputes between its allies Iran and the United States, which made it He is in an unenviable position because of Washington’s policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran Since 2018. For his part, Speaker of Parliament Muhammad al-Halbousi assured the US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, that the Iraqi government Keen to preserve the security of diplomatic missions from repeated attacks. In the same regard, Iraq was caught long ago in the midst of disputes between its allies Iran and the United States, which made it He is in an unenviable position because of Washington’s policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran Since 2018. For his part, Speaker of Parliament Muhammad al-Halbousi assured the US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, that the Iraqi government Keen to preserve the security of diplomatic missions from repeated attacks. In the same regard, Iraq was caught long ago in the midst of disputes between its allies Iran and the United States, which made it He is in an unenviable position because of Washington’s policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran Since 2018.

In a new escalation, Iraqi and foreign officials told AFP that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Last week, Iraqi President Barham Salih issued a strong warning to him. The sources said that Washington warned that “if the security and judicial authorities in Iraq do not move against targeting Missions and coalition forces have other alternatives to ensure that this situation does not continue. "Washington is not only disturbed by what is happening against the diplomatic missions," an Iraqi official told AFP But she is very, very, very upset, and this disturbance will follow actions. ” The United States still has hundreds of diplomats in the Green Zone in Baghdad, where security measures are tight, About 3,000 soldiers are stationed at three bases across the country. Since 2019, dozens of rockets and improvised explosive devices have targeted these sites, and US officials and Iraqis have accused loyalist factions. To Iran, including the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades. Washington twice responded with strikes on the "Phalanges" in Iraq and threatened earlier this year By bombing more than 120 other sites if the missile attacks caused casualties among the Americans, he said What a senior Iraqi official told AFP. The frustration persisted even after the start of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi's term in May, and he is seen at He is Western-oriented. A senior Iraqi official told AFP, prior to Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington in August, that The United States indicated that it is "not satisfied with his dealings with the armed groups loyal to Iran." The United States refused to comment on Pompeo's latest invitation, but a State Department official told Reuters Agence France-Presse: “The Iranian-backed groups that fire missiles at our embassy are a threat that we do not have Not only, but on the government of Iraq ». A senior Iraqi official told AFP, prior to Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington in August, that The United States indicated that it is "not satisfied with his dealings with the armed groups loyal to Iran." The United States refused to comment on Pompeo's latest invitation, but a State Department official told Reuters Agence France-Presse: “The Iranian-backed groups that fire missiles at our embassy are a threat that we do not have Not only, but on the government of Iraq ». A senior Iraqi official told AFP, prior to Al-Kazemi's visit to Washington in August, that The United States indicated that it is "not satisfied with his dealings with the armed groups loyal to Iran." The United States refused to comment on Pompeo's latest invitation, but a State Department official told Reuters Agence France-Presse: “The Iranian-backed groups that fire missiles at our embassy are a threat that we do not have Not only, but on the government of Iraq ».

The US raid in January that killed a prominent Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, continues Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the state-sponsored Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, is fresh in the minds of Iraqi officials And armed groups. Since then, some leaders of the pro-Iranian paramilitary factions have remained silent, fearing strikes Or the US sanctions, and some of them disappeared completely from view.

And it appears that the new US threats have deepened the growing rift between the pro-Iranian factions and those less prepared to enter Full confrontation with the United States.

After months of silence, the influential cleric and political leader Moqtada al-Sadr called on Twitter this week To “forming a security, military, and parliamentary committee to investigate” the missile attacks. Within minutes, Al-Kazemi and other prominent government figures welcomed the invitation.

"There is consensus to condemn these attacks," an Iraqi official said. Kataib Hezbollah and other militants are isolated and left without political cover. Even the Popular Mobilization Forces criticized the missile attacks, saying that it “is not responsible for parties using its name for purposes Distortion (...) and the conduct of suspicious operations and illegal military activity targeting foreign or civilian national interests that are inconsistent And state constants ». Two leaders perceived as leaning toward Tehran were officially deported. But the militants are also organized. Six groups, unheard of, have claimed responsibility for the missile attacks on American interests. And even threatened the United Nations in recent months.

Message

These reconfigured groups see Al-Kazemi as Washington’s man in Baghdad and are angry at his promises To restrain them. "They are sending a message from Iran to the United States," said an official in one of the influential Shiite parties. Recent political developments have not changed anything, we can still hit you hard, and no leader can implement Your agenda in Iraq ».

This could leave the prime minister in an awkward position.

A Western diplomat in Baghdad told AFP that the US withdrawal could give his rivals a propaganda win accidental. "If Washington continues and withdraws its elements, these groups will be able to boast that they have expelled the Americans," he added From Iraq at a minimal cost ».

And the Iraqi parliament voted in January to expel the foreign forces stationed to help fight terrorism, But Al-Kazemi tried to be slow in implementing this decision.

It also embarked on an anti-corruption campaign, launched a strategic dialogue with Washington and sought to accelerate deals with the American companies that would reduce Iraq's dependence on Iranian energy imports. Western diplomats and analysts said his fall could be a nightmare for Iraq's stability.

"If the United States actually closes its embassy," said Ali Mamouri, an analyst and editor at Iraq Pulse , It will leave Al-Kazemi in a very vulnerable and dangerous position, which opens the door for militias to expand and possibly take action Extremist against the state ».

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