Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in a meeting on December 8, 2023. Photo: Sudani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Friday condemned attacks on foreign interests in the country as acts of terrorism and reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting diplomatic missions following a series of attacks against the United States embassy in Baghdad.
“Attacking any foreign mission or diplomatic base is a terrorist crime that exposes the perpetrator to the maximum penalties,” Sudani said in a statement, stressing “the government’s continued commitment to protecting all diplomatic missions in Iraq and their employees.”
A series of rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad in the early hours of Friday, resulting in no casualties. The attacks prompted Washington to call on Baghdad to protect diplomatic missions, adding that it reserves the right to defend itself and protect its personnel from the strikes.
“The many Iran-aligned militias that operate freely in Iraq threaten the security and stability of Iraq, our personnel, and our partners in the region,” said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Miller also praised Sudani's stance against the strikes, saying he "rightly called these attacks acts of "terrorism.""
On Sunday, an American drone strike in Kirkuk province killed five pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) members as they were “preparing to launch a one-way attack drone,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated.
Sudani said that Iraq will never hesitate “to confront outlaws who endanger the security of the country, as they harm its foreign reputation.”
He also directed an investigation to be conducted into the “negligent” forces controlling the area from where the attacks were launched “and that punishments be imposed against them.”
The Iraqi government has also condemned US retaliatory strikes within its borders. In November, the government said it “vehemently” condemned US airstrikes on Iran-backed Iraqi militia positions in Jurf al-Nasr, around 60 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, that left at least eight fighters dead.
On Friday, the Iraqi foreign ministry condemned attacks on the US embassy by “unruly groups” and called for the protection of all diplomatic missions in the country.
“The security authorities have taken all measures and are making utmost efforts to pursue those responsible, to refer them to the judiciary to receive their just punishment, and to prevent any breach of security of diplomatic missions,” foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed al-Sahaf said in a statement.
Since mid-October, US troops in Iraq and Syria have been targeted with rockets and drones at least 78 times, leaving 66 American personnel injured, the US Department of Defense said on Thursday. Most of the attacks have been claimed by pro-Iran militias as retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel in its war against Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
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