Iraq is concerned about US pressure regarding Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
As such, Baghdad and even the militias are trying to put out messaging that distances the militias from recent incidents. One incident is the US detention of a Kataib Hezbollah member, who was taken from Turkey to the US to face charges. In addition, Saudi Arabia has said three drones flew from Iraq in an attack on the Kingdom. Iraq is worried that these continued attacks will lead to pressure on the new government to dismantle the militias.
Shafaq News in Iraq has provided new details on Baghdad’s moves in recent days.
“The Iraqi government condemns the targeting of Saudi Arabia and expresses its readiness to cooperate with Riyadh in the investigation,” Shafaq noted on Monday. This follows Saudi anger on Sunday over the drone attacks.
Reports also indicate that Iranian-backed militias are suspected of being behind a large number of attacks in Saudi Arabia. New reports also indicate Saudi Arabia and Kuwait responded to attacks during the Iran conflict in March.
Iraq has asked Saudi Arabia to share information on drones. According to Shafaq, Iraq said, “We have not detected any indications. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern on Monday regarding reports of three drone attacks targeting facilities in Saudi Arabia, stressing Iraq’s rejection of any threat to the security of brotherly countries.”
Meanwhile, the ministry in Baghdad said that it had received information and “that the competent Iraqi authorities received initial information about Saudi Arabia being targeted by three drones, noting that they have begun verification and investigation procedures to determine the circumstances of the incident.”
Iraq claims it did not detect anything with its limited air defense systems. Iraq also didn’t detect two Israeli bases in the country, according to recent reports in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Iran moves to unify Shi’ite parties amid Iraqi political disputes
“The Iraqi Foreign Ministry affirmed Baghdad’s commitment to its firm position based on respecting the security and sovereignty of brotherly countries, and rejecting any actions that would threaten their stability or harm fraternal relations with them,” the report at Shafaq said.
“The ministry stressed Iraq’s keenness to continue coordination and consultation with Saudi Arabia in a way that enhances the security and stability of the region and serves the common interests of the two countries,” it continued.
Meanwhile, Iran is working to unify Shi’ite parties in Iraq. This comes after a new prime minister was appointed there.
“On Monday, an informed political source revealed that prominent Shi’ite leaders are making moves within the coordination framework, in parallel with Iranian contacts, to contain the escalating disputes within the Shi’ite bloc after the incomplete vote of confidence for Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s government, amid expectations that the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Ismail Qaani, will be sent to Baghdad again,” Shafaq said.
Kataib Hezbollah is also denying links to Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, whom the US Justice Department accused of being “an Iraqi national and senior member of Kataib Hezbollah, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization.
“Al-Saadi was charged by complaint with six counts of terrorism-related offenses for his activities as an operative of Kataib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including his involvement in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks throughout Europe and the United States.”
In Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah is denying links to Saadi. “The abductee, Mohammad Baqer al-Saadi, is not a member of Kataib Hezbollah and will return to his homeland with his head held high, as he is among the supporters and lovers of the [Tehran-led Axis of] Resistance,” said Abu Mujahed al-Asaf, a senior commander and spokesperson for the group, in a statement shared on his official Telegram channel, according to Rudaw media.
Rudaw added other details. “In an indirect signal to the US and Israel, the Kataib Hezbollah spokesperson further noted that the ‘enemy’ is aiming at a ‘new escalation’ against the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Popular Mobilization Forces, which comprise Iran-aligned armed groups.
“Asaf cited an alleged reconnaissance operation by Washington and Tel Aviv from Jordan, while vowing that the response to ‘American’ actions ‘will be across various fields,’ warning that ‘the patience of the men of the Resistance is no longer unending in the face of the continued violations and transgressions that target the sovereignty of Iraq and its sons.’”
Iraq’s response to Saudi claims and the Kataib Hezbollah statement show how Iraq is trying to avoid new US pressure and sanctions. It also doesn’t want conflict with Saudi Arabia.
In any renewed fighting with Iran, Iraq will likely become a frontline again. More than 1,000 attacks were carried out by Iran and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Attacks targeted US diplomatic facilities, as well as Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, and also Saudi Arabia.