A flurry of US airstrikes on Sunday morning targeting Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) forces is quickly fueling fallout in US-Iraqi relations, as the Iraqi government warns that such unilateral attacks are unacceptable.
Iraqi officials issued a statement cautioning that the attack would have dangerous consequences, and that it has forced the Iraqi government to “review” its relations with the US. Protesters were burning US flags in Baghdad.
There were many MPs already calling for Iraq to review its ties to the US, and potentially end the open-ended US military deployment. The US attack on Iraqi government paramilitary forces has only added to this, with officials calling it a “sinful violation” of Iraqi sovereignty.
Though US officials have routinely presented Ketaib Hezbollah and other PMU militias as “Iranian forces,” there was no real mystery that they are part of the Iraqi government’s formal security forces. The Trump Administration has at times spoken ill of the PMU, but must also have known that attacking them on Iraqi soil would be a bridge too far for Iraq’s government.
On Monday, the State Department followed up military action by criticizing the Iraqi government for failing to protect US troops in Iraqi territory, saying Iraq had “shown its true colors” in failing to denounce Ketaib Hezbollah but still condemning the US attacks.
Far from a question of Iraq simply reviewing US ties after the attack, the State Department’s comments suggest that the two sides are on the verge of open hostilities. PMU leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, again a high-ranking Iraqi government official, is threatening a retaliatory response against the US. The US is threatening more attacks if there is any retaliation.
This is shaping up to be a very dangerous situation, where US-Iraq ties may collapse outright in very short order. What this means for 5,000 US troops already in Iraq, and a Pentagon that had no intention of ever withdrawing them, remains to be seen.
Whenever Murka’s terrorists get their asses kicked, Murka throws a tantrum.
At some point the giant toddler with the nuclear hand grenade will need to be put to bed…
What “ties”? USA invaded & hog-tied Iraq in a blatant & cruel act of aggression. Don’t describe chains as “ties”.
“ties”, are not always beneficial, US status of forces agreement with Iraq, is a “tie”.
On Monday, the State Department followed up military action by criticizing the Iraqi government for failing to protect it`s troops in Iraqi territory, saying Iraq had “shown its true colors”
Why should Iraq protect a occupying power that has invaded, destroyed it`s country and killed over a million Iraqi…….and on a lie.
US arrogance is beyond repair.
Jim Bim, I couldn’t agree more. The State Dept. – actually, Pompous Pompeo – followed up military action by criticizing the Iraqi gov’t for failing to protect its troops in Iraqi territory, saying Iraq had “shown its true colors”.
You have a very valid point here, Jim .. Why should Iraq protect an occupying power that has invaded, destroyed its country and slaughtered over a million Iraqis ,, and on a lie? US arrogance is well beyond repair.
DJT should do the right thing and pull ALL US troops out of Iraq .. That’s the only way to begin ties with the Iraqi gov’t and reduce – if not eliminate – tensions with Iran,
But instead, DJT does this:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/31/trump-says-iran-will-be-held-fully-responsible-for-attack-on-the-us-embassy-in-iraq.html
Agree…..and now the secretary of defense/war wants to send more troops to Iraq because of riots in front of US embassy…..to arrogant to ask for permission
Create chaos and present yourself as the solution.
The other week the US reduced the staff at the embassy….now they replace the staff with troops.
The Neocons are in charge.
And POTUS widens the conflict, by accusing Iran….without any proof, for the mess the US has created.
Worse than a crime, an error. The US is really, really stupid. Hopefully the Iraqis will kick us out.
It was less than 30 years ago when we started destroying Iraq. Two wars and 12 years of killer(500,000 dead, mostly children)sanctions and we still have the balls to say this:
On Monday, the State Department followed up military action by criticizing the Iraqi government for failing to protect US troops in Iraqi territory, saying Iraq had “shown its true colors” in failing to denounce Ketaib Hezbollah but still condemning the US attacks.
“must also have known that attacking them on Iraqi soil would be a bridge too far for Iraq’s government. . . . What this means for 5,000 US troops already in Iraq, and a Pentagon that had no intention of ever withdrawing them, remains to be seen.”
5,000 troops plus some contractors is not sustainable in the face of real hostilities. It is either all in, or all out. This cannot be done as it is.
So which is the intention? Does the Trump Admin even agree? I suspect those who want war with Iran are doing this to get that war. Will they get it this time?
I doubt it. Cheney was in a much superior position to attack Iran in 04, and couldn’t get it, for some reason. The US military logistics now, are in a terrible situation. Where could they stage ? Turkey, no…Saudi Arabia ? no….Kuwait ?…no…..where ? Israel ? Mmmm.
“The US military logistics now, are in a terrible situation”
But given our track record this must mean an attack must be imminent.
Well, I gotta admit, sustaining this nightmare in the ME has been impressive in a pointless sense, like building a million dollar deck on mobile home.
“A warning”, We commit bloody murder and then call it a warning? If our leaders are so out of touch with what it means to be human creatures that murdering our fellow man as a warning to others is acceptable behavior then we should throw the bums out.
No better then any Head Chopper, as low as it gets.
I’m afraid Netanyahu has us under his spell, his philosophy is “the only thing Arabs and other Middle Easterners understand is brute force.” It looks like we have adopted his thinking hook line and sinker.
The stench on this attack really is obvious and odious. It has the fingerprints of pompass and nitenyaaahoo all over it with the pentagon dutifully falling in line. To all it a provocation to iran would be an understatement.
I doubt very much if trump is even in the loop but that may be giving him a benefit of a doubt he does not deserve.
Seeing many more reports that the foreign agent, kushner, really is calling the shots in the white house with his zionist lackies offering full-throated support.
The obsession with iran and the “anti-zionism is anti-semitism” mindset (as kushner asserted in NYT article), we really are in dangerous waters without a fully engaged caption at the helm.
“doubt trump is in the loop”..he was told, and didn’t understand, forgot, or wasn’t paying attention.
I have yet to see a statement by any Member of Congress opposing the illegal bombing. This is very disappointing.
What a ditz! “Ties at Stake”? Paul Bremer rewrote their constitution years ago and for some reason, Iraqis are storming the US embassy in Baghdad today. Go figure.
The Iraqi government and people don’t want the US there. What are you selling Jason?
I think you misinterpreting…occupation, troops deployed in Iraq, are “ties”…not good for anyone, but ties nonetheless.
“The Iraqi government and people don’t want the US there.”
On the whole I agree. Corrupt elements within Iraq tho, are paid collaborators. Government, and in other places, such is the evil in occupation.
After 16 or 17 years, what else could one reasonably expect?
I didn’t feel Jason was trying to sell anything after reading the article. I’d imagine he feels similar to how everyone else feels about the actual “ties” that we have with Iraq as being something we force fed on them.
Every article has some implicit clickbait.
I always knew the only delay to starting Iran War was getting Netanyahu back for another term. Everything is proceeding how they planned. It’s coming. Trump will lead the charge, stave off impeachment, and we could see WW3 next year.