Iraq’s Powerful Bloc Calls for Withdrawal of US Troops after Israeli Attacks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq's Fatah Alliance, the second-largest party in parliament, called for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq following a series of airstrikes targeting bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi.
The Fatah Coalition said it holds the United States fully responsible for the Israeli aggression, “which we consider to be a declaration of war on Iraq and its people”, media reports said.
The coalition’s statement came a day after an Israeli drone strike in the western Iraqi town of Qaim killed a commander with the forces.
It added that US troops are no longer needed in Iraq.
“While we reserve the right to respond to these Zionist attacks, we hold the international coalition, particularly the United States, fully responsible for this aggression, which we consider a declaration of war on Iraq and its people,” the statement by the coalition said.
Iraqi President Barham Saleh hosted a meeting later Monday that included the prime minister and speaker as well as PMU leaders to discuss the recent attacks.
A statement issued after the meeting described it as a “blatant act of aggression” aimed at dragging Al-Hashd away from its ongoing role of eradicating remnants of Daesh.
“These attacks are blatant and hostile acts," the coalition statement said, adding, “Iraqi sovereignty and the well-being of its people are a red line."
It stressed the government would take all necessary steps to “deter aggressors and defend Iraq”.
