Iraqi militias threaten escalation against American forces

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi Shiite militias on Saturday issued a statement renewing threats against American forces in Iraq over what they said is a US refusal to completely withdraw its troops from the country. 

“The American administration, by refusing the exit of its forces, has sent us the clear message that they only understand the language of force,” the Iraqi Resistance Coordination said on Saturday in a statement published on Sabreen News, a Telegram channel linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic). 

The statement criticized the Iraqi government as “unable to fulfill the will of the Iraqi people by expelling the occupation forces from their land, preserving their sovereignty, and defending their constitution” saying the use of force will escalate against US forces so they are “defeated.” 

The US has already said it will move its remaining combat troops out of Iraq, following previous reductions.

Earlier on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command Tahseen al-Khafaji said that a committee will hold meetings “during the next two weeks regarding scheduling the withdrawal of foreign forces.”

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have repeatedly expressed their opposition to the US presence in Iraq. Attacks on US forces increased following the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020, with Iraqi bases hosting US-led coalition troops regularly subject to rocket attacks.

The escalation led to a non-binding parliamentary resolution to expel all foreign troops from the country.

In April, the head of powerful Iranian-backed militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq vowed to increase “resistance operations” with the goal of forcing American troops out of the country, just days ahead of strategic talks between Baghdad and Washington.

PMF-affiliated groups have previously threatened to direct "large and precise strikes" against American forces in Iraq if Baghdad and Washington do not announce a clear deadline for the withdrawal of US troops.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi received a top US delegation earlier this month to discuss the recent strategic talks between both countries, including discussions on the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.