COLUMN: Americans Are Not the Only Targets of Iranian-Backed Militia Groups in Iraq and Syria hstoday.us - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hstoday.us Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A joint US-Iraq statement issued at the end of the strategic dialogue hinted at the “redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq, with the timing to be established in coming technical talks.”
Outraged by reports of attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi people have suffered for far too long from this kind of violence and violation of their sovereignty. Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) April 14, 2021
However, that agreement is likely to result in a significant overall reduction in the 2,500 US troops remaining in Iraq given the fact that the vast majority of American forces stationed there are officially serving in an advisory – rather than combat – role.
SHARE
A previously unknown Shiite militia has claimed responsibility for a drone attack against US-led international coalition troops in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
The explosives-laden drone struck a military complex at Erbil International Airport late on Wednesday, the regional interior ministry said. It damaged a warehouse but caused no casualties.
A group calling itself Al Sabiqoon, or The Forerunners, issued a statement claiming the attack a few hours later.
“Our essential condition is that the [US] occupation leave the whole region or we will target their bases in all countries,” it said.
The National could not independently verify the authenticity of the statement, but it was posted on social media account linked to established Iran-backed Shiite militias and is similar to statements issued by these groups.