Iraq militia denies role in anti-U.S. attacks, welcomes pressure on Saudi
This content was published on February 23, 2021 - 18:29
February 23, 2021 - 18:29
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iran-aligned Iraqi militia group on Tuesday denied any role in recent rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq, but said an attack against Saudi Arabia last month was justified.
It is a rare direct denial and the first time the Kataib Hezbollah group, one of the Iraqi factions closest to Iran, has commented on the most serious incident this year, a rocket attack in Erbil on Feb. 15 that killed a contractor working with U.S.-led forces.
US Outraged by Deadly Attack in Iraq - The Media Line themedialine.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from themedialine.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
What’s new? The 2015 Iran nuclear deal has looked at best shaky since the Trump administration withdrew from it in 2018, imposing damaging economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic. In response, Tehran ramped up its nuclear activity in contravention of its obligations under the agreement. President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration could mark an inflection point.
Why does it matter? Having failed to achieve its objectives, Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy may be nearing an end. Restoring the nuclear deal, with its considerable non-proliferation benefits, could lead to wider U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement. But one or both sides may be tempted to make additional demands, which would be a recipe for deadlock.
PHOTOS: Crowd in Baghdad marks first anniversary of US drone strike that killed top Iranian general, militia leader 2021/01/03 12:01
Supporters of Iranian-backed PMF militias hold a candlelight vigil at the site of the Jan. 3, 2020, US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasim Solemani and PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Jan. 2, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Crowds gathered on Saturday night on the main highway leading to Baghdad International Airport at the site of a US drone strike one year earlier that killed Iran’s top general Qasim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of the Iranian-backed militia Kata’ib Hizbollah.