Sunday Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani called on the international community to save the Middle East from a widening conflict with Israel. Baghdad has been in talks with the U.S., U.K., Spain, Switzerland and others to try to prevent Israel from striking the Iraqi Islamic Resistance. The authorities have also been in discussion with the Resistance to try to halt its operations. The problem is the pro-Iran factions continue with almost daily attacks upon Israel with threats to escalate embarrassing the government.
Since September 22 the Resistance has launched drone and missile strikes on Israel every day but once. Three groups have been held responsible for these attacks Al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah and Sayid al-Shuhada. These operations were largely symbolic in nature to show empathy with Palestine but on October 4 Israel claimed that two of its soldiers were killed and 24 wounded by a drone in the Golan Heights. The Resistance denied this report but by this time it didn’t matter. It showed that Israel had enough of the Iraqi groups.
This point was made again on October 7 when an Israeli Foreign Ministry official posted pictures on social media allegedly of missiles in a Baghdad facility which he claimed was supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In turn, the Iraqi Resistance has been issuing more threats. It said any Israeli retaliation would lead the groups to escalate their operations. Nouri al-Maliki the head of the State of Law list and one of the leading figures in the government urged more Hashd groups to join the fight saying that they would enter Jerusalem. Kataib Hezbollah has reportedly sent several hundred fighters to Lebanon to support Hezbollah and other groups have promised to do the same.
This crisis is embarrassing the Premier Sudani because it highlights the fact that the prime minister has no control over parts of his own government. The Hashd are officially part of the security forces and are paid by Baghdad but each faction follows its own leader. Hence despite Sudani’s constant pleading groups like Kataib Hezbollah have not stopped with their attacks. This might lead to Israeli retaliation causing far more damage than any Iraqi Resistance operation.
SOURCES
Al Aalem, “Factions declare their readiness .. What are the repercussions of Iraq entering a comprehensive war?” 10/3/24
- “Iran regains balance … and Iraq is hot candidate for an Israeli response,” 10/2/24
- “The Iraqi Resistance and the Israeli War … Divided Gains or Distribution of Roles?” 10/6/24
- “Iraqi Resistance confirms its continuation of escalation against Israel .. Have Al-Sudani’s efforts to calm things down failed?” 10/7/24
- “Israel finds an excuse .. Did Iraq enter the war?” 10/5/24
- “Sky without defenses .. Warnings of Iraq slipping into war,” 9/26/24
Asharq Al-Awsat, “Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias,” 10/6/24
- “Iraq Initiates Contacts with Western Countries to Prevent Potential Israeli Strike,” 10/3/24
- “Sudani Continues Efforts to Avert Israeli Retaliation against Iraq,” 10/7/24
Bas News, “Baghdad Warned to Stop Militia Attacks on US, Israel,” 10/6/24
- “Former PM Urges Iraqi Militias to Join Fight Against Israel,” 10/2/24
- “Iraqi Militias Hold Off on Targeting US Bases Amid Rising Israel-Hezbollah Tensions,” 10/4/24
- “Iraqi Security Advisor Issues Stark Warning to Israel,” 10/7/24
- “Israeli Ministry Reveals Militia Missiles in Baghdad,” 10/7/24
Al Mada, “As the US withdrawal announcement approaches, Iraqi factions announce their participation in Hezbollah’s response to Israel,” 9/23/24
- “Pessimistic scenarios about war .. Baghdad: Iraqi airspace is not completely secure!” 10/6/24
Al-Nashmi, Fadhel, “Report: Israel Sets 35 Strike Targets in Iraq as Sudani Seeks t Rein in Factions,” Asharq Al-Awsat, 10/2/24
Al-Salhy, Suadad, “Exclusive: Iraqi groups say Israel fabricated deadly Golan drone attack,” Middle East Eye, 10/5/24
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