Weekend reports of a ceasefire in Iraq have borne fruit, and Ketaib Hezbollah, one of the Shi’ite militias involved in recent rocket strikes, has confirmed that all attacks against US forces have been halted, pending receipt of a timetable from Iraq’s government on the pullout.
The US is in the process of substantial troop cuts from Iraq. It’s not been made public when this is expected to be finished, but at present rates, it could be soon. Since the militias wanted the US out in the first place, it makes more sense for them to just let it happen instead of risking a new war with US forces.
Iraqi officials have limited sway over theses militias, even if they are part of the security forces, but seem to have convinced them that the path of least resistance is to halt attacks. Militia spokesmen warn attacks could resume if they believe the US is backing out of a pullout.
The militias have been angry since the US assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Suleimani and Ketaib Hezbollah figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January. At the time, the Iraqi parliament demanded all US troops leave, and while the US rejected it at the time, it now seems that is the direction they are headed.
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