ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on Iraq to “fulfill its commitments” to “protect U.S. personnel” and pursue Iran-backed Iraqi factions who attack American forces in Iraq and Syria, in a phone call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, while emphasizing that Iraq should not be “drawn” into any regional war.
"The Secretary called on the Iraqi government to fulfill its commitments to protect U.S. personnel and to pursue those responsible for attacks from Iraq on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, including from attacks by Iran-aligned militias,” read a statement from the US Department of State.
US personnel and diplomatic missions often come under rocket attacks claimed by Iran-backed militia groups, a move which the latter repeatedly describe as retaliation against America’s support for Israel in its war on Gaza and Lebanon.
The latest attack was on the Victoria Base, near Baghdad International Airport which houses several US military headquarters in mid-September. Several factions were blamed for the attack, but none of them claimed responsibility.
In early August, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, injuring at least five U.S. military personnel.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, has carried out hundreds of strikes against Israeli and American interests in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Israel for nearly a year in protest of the war on Gaza.
The group has intensified its attacks on Israeli territories in recent weeks following the killing of several “Axis of Resistance” leaders and the Israeli military’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon.
Israeli media have recently reported that the military is considering a response to the militias in Iraq.
Blinken told PM Sudani that it was "important that Iraq not be drawn into regional conflict” and "underscored the need for Iraq to exert control over armed groups launching unauthorized attacks from its territory.
For his part, PM Sudani in a statement, however, did not mention that they had talked about Iran-backed Shiite factions in Iraq during the phone call.
The Iraqi government has repeatedly stated that it would not allow Iraq to get entangled in any regional conflict.
“The decision of war and peace” is in the hands of the government, PM Sudani said in October, warning “anyone who deviates from that will face the state,” likely referring to the armed groups.
In parts of their conversation, Blinken and Sudani discussed ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
"The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages,” the statement read. They “discussed diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution in Lebanon that ensures citizens on both sides of the Blue Line can return to their homes.”
Updated at 08:07 pm with a statement from Iraqi PM Sudani's media office
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