“Necessary” attack
US kills pro-Iranian militiamen in Iraq
January 5, 2024, 2:38 a.m
In Iraq, a commander of a pro-Iranian militia dies in an airstrike. The Pentagon takes responsibility and speaks of “self-defense.” The Iraqi army reacts irritably to the operation.
The US military says it has killed two members of a powerful pro-Iranian militia, including a commander, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. This was announced by US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder. It was an act of self-defense because the commander was actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against US forces. No civilians were injured, Ryder emphasized. The attack was “necessary”, “appropriate” and “proportionate”.
Iraqi security circles said the airstrike hit a facility belonging to the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces in eastern Baghdad. Six other militia members were injured. An Iraqi army spokesman strongly criticized the action, saying the “unjustified” drone attack was no different from “terrorist acts.”
Despite several questions from reporters, the Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the criticism or whether the Iraqi government had been informed in advance. He also left other questions about the details and background of the attack unanswered, but emphasized: “We will continue to work very closely with our Iraqi partners.” If its own armed forces were threatened, the USA reserved the right to self-defense to protect its people.
National Security Council meets
Pro-Iranian propaganda channels reported the killing of two high-ranking leaders. A TV station close to the militia reported an attack with three rockets. Pictures of a car wreck that appears to have been hit are circulating on social media. After the attack, dozens of Iraqi security force vehicles cordoned off the area, according to eyewitnesses. Iraqi army helicopters circled over the city area.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani convened the National Security Council to discuss the attack. The situation in Iraq, as in the entire Middle East region, is very tense due to the Gaza war and deadly escalations in Lebanon and Iran, among others. The pro-Iranian militias have great influence in Iraq and Syria. They have carried out more than 100 attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Gaza war began three months ago.
The US military responded to the attacks several times with air strikes in Iraq. Thursday’s attack in Baghdad is the fourth US attack in Iraq since the start of the Gaza war. The US – Israel’s most important ally – and its troops are heavily targeted by pro-Iranian militias in the region. Iran wants to use them to create an “axis of resistance” against Israel. In Iraq, the militias are also demanding a withdrawal of the approximately 2,500 remaining US troops.