Criticism Grows Against Iraqi Prime Minister Over Militia Attacks
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani is facing mounting criticism regarding his government’s failure to curb assaults by pro-Iranian militias, along with Iran itself, targeting American, French, Italian, and Kurdish personnel and facilities within Iraq.
On Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a warning, advising all American citizens in Iraq to leave “immediately.” This caution followed a missile strike that reportedly hit a helipad at the U.S. Embassy early Saturday morning.
In light of recent events, a State Department spokesperson emphasized to Fox News Digital that the U.S. condemns the acts perpetrated by Iran and its affiliated militias against U.S. diplomatic personnel, civilian sites, and infrastructure, particularly in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
As Secretary Rubio pointed out, Iraq must take comprehensive measures to safeguard U.S. diplomatic entities and ensure that militias cannot leverage Iraqi territory to threaten both the U.S. and the wider region. This is, quite frankly, in Iraq’s best interest. The U.S. has various options to protect its interests and does not plan on pre-emptively applying sanctions.
A Kurdish official, who preferred to remain anonymous, claimed that Iraq’s Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are “on the Iraqi payroll, receiving both wages and weaponry from the government.” This official went on to mention that such militias have previously opened fire on the U.S. military, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and energy infrastructure.
Many leaders from the PMF, according to officials, are entwined with al-Sudani’s government and its coalition. However, an Iraqi embassy spokesperson in Washington vehemently denied these allegations. They categorized the claim of al-Sudani authorizing armed groups to target American or Western interests as “completely false,” underscoring that the Iraqi government has continually rejected attacks on diplomatic missions or foreign interests.
The Prime Minister had issued multiple statements denouncing these violent acts and instructing relevant authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Yet, last week, al-Sudani’s congratulatory remarks to Iran upon the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader raised eyebrows. He expressed, somewhat cautiously, confidence in the new leadership of Iran to navigate challenges effectively.
In response to those congratulatory comments, an Iraqi embassy official remarked that such diplomatic gestures are common practice among various nations, including Gulf states. Iraq continues to maintain diplomatic relations with its neighbors, including Iran, while seeking to ensure balanced relations with all regional and international partners.
Despite these tensions, one French soldier was killed and six injured during heightened attacks aimed at the International Anti-Jihad Coalition within Iraq’s Kurdistan Autonomous Region. According to reports, the soldier was killed by a drone designed in Iran. The Kurdish region experienced aggressive drone assaults from Iranian proxies on military and civilian establishments, with over 300 such strikes reported since the onset of U.S. Operation Epic Fury.
Kurdish officials expressed frustration with al-Sudani’s government, claiming a lack of seriousness in confronting the militias, which they see as complicit in government actions. They praised the U.S. actions against these groups over the past week, indicating that the PMF’s influence remains concerning.
Reports suggest that airstrikes, purportedly by the U.S., have targeted Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The PMF has acknowledged that the U.S. military has conducted numerous airstrikes on their bases since late February.
Kurdish officials have urged the U.S. to pressure the Iraqi government to halt funding for the PMF and to focus on the financial systems supporting these militias. The relationship between Kurdish authorities and al-Sudani’s government is tense, with accusations of imposed restrictions aiming to undermine Kurdish autonomy.
In conclusion, a Kurdish official argued that as long as the PMF persists, attacks against U.S. forces and regional targets will likely continue. The local sentiment reflects the broader unease regarding the interconnections of militias with the Iraqi government and their implications for U.S. interests in the region.
