In a surprise move, an Iran-linked Iraqi militia that the Pentagon said was likely responsible for a deadly drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan over the weekend announced Tuesday it was suspending operations soldiers in Iraq under pressure from the Iraqi government. and Iran.
The announcement came shortly after President Biden said he had decided how to respond to Sunday’s attack in Jordan that left three U.S. troops dead, although he did not specify what would be this answer. His comment raised fears in Iraq of possible American reprisals on its territory.
The Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, or Party of God Brigades, is the largest and most established of the Iran-linked groups operating in Iraq. He has spearheaded the majority of the approximately 160 attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq and Syria that have taken place since Israel began its ground operations in Gaza, acting in response to the October 7 attack. carried out by Hamas from the enclave.
The U.S. military has about 2,500 troops in Iraq advising and training the Iraqi army and about 900 in Syria, supporting the Syrian Kurdish Defense Forces in their fight against the Islamic State.
Kata’ib Hezbollah is part of the so-called Axis of Resistance, a network of Iranian-backed groups operating in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and sometimes further afield. (Kata’ib Hezbollah is distinct from the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.)
The two other Iraqi groups believed to have participated in strikes on US targets – Harakat al Nujaba and Sayyid Shuhada – have not announced that they will end their attacks.
Kata’ib Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi said in a statement: “We announce the suspension of military and security operations against the occupying forces – to avoid any embarrassment to the Iraqi government. » It was the first time that the militia publicly declared the suspension of its operations.
The statement makes clear that Iran has been pressuring the group to stop attacks on US troops and that Kata’ib Hezbollah is not happy about it. The group has been keen to suggest that it chooses its own targets and timetable, rather than following orders from Iran.
“Our Axis brothers, especially in the Islamic Republic of Iran, do not know how we carry out our Jihad, and they often oppose pressure and escalation against the American occupation forces in Iraq and Syria “, the press release said.
Asked about Kata’ib Hezbollah’s announcement, a Defense Ministry spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon briefing: “I have no specific comment to make, except that actions speak louder than words. »
He added: “I will refrain from publishing these types of comments after more than 160 attacks against American forces. »
Interviews with Iraqi and Iranian officials close to both governments suggest that intensive negotiations have taken place in recent days to pressure Kata’ib Hezbollah to stop its attacks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani began pushing for a shutdown several weeks ago, according to senior government advisers. He had been trying to begin negotiations on a possible withdrawal of the U.S.-led international military presence in Iraq, but the U.S. side had been unwilling to negotiate under fire, according to Iraqi and U.S. officials.
The United States ultimately agreed to begin negotiations without guarantees that the attacks would stop, but with a clear desire in that direction.
Kata’ib Hezbollah and other groups ignored the Iraqi government’s demand for withdrawal, but after the attack in Jordan on Sunday cost American lives, Mr. Sudani demanded a complete shutdown of Kata’ib Hezbollah . Mr. Soudani contacted Iran directly, according to a Revolutionary Guard military strategist who works closely with Axis groups in Iraq.
Mr. Soudani argued that he was trying to negotiate what Iran wanted most – ending the presence of American troops in Iraq – and that the attacks by Kata’ib Hezbollah were undermining his government’s ability to achieve that. , according to the Iranian military strategist and a senior Iraqi official, who spoke anonymously to discuss private negotiations.
An Iraqi government spokesman, Hisham al-Rikabi, painted much the same picture. “The decision of Kata’ib Hezbollah is the result of the measures taken by the Prime Minister internally and externally to prevent escalation and ensure the smooth completion of negotiations on the completion of the withdrawal process of the international coalition from Iraq,” he said.
Mr. al-Rikabi added: “We hope that all parties will listen to the government’s call to reduce tensions and ensure that there are no hotspots of tension in the region, and in Iraq in particular. »
Senior officials in Mr. Soudani’s government, close to Iran, participated in the negotiations, according to Iraqi and Iranian officials close to their respective leaders. Participants in the negotiations included former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the leaders of two armed groups that did not target US forces: Qais al-Khazali and Hadi al-Ameri. On the Iranian side, General Esmail Qaani, head of the Quds Force, a division of the Revolutionary Guards that works with Axis groups outside Iran, participated in the talks.
The report was provided by Falih Hassan from Baghdad, Farnaz Fassihi from New York and Eric Schmitt from Washington, D.C.
