TEHRAN: Iran voiced its support for Iraq’s appeal to remove the US-led anti-militant coalition from its territory, following a recent US drone strike that resulted in the death of a military commander in Baghdad.
The foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, maintained that Iraq has the capability, strength, and authority to ensure its own security. He emphasized that Iran has consistently expressed concerns about the presence of American forces in the region.
The strike targeted a commander and another member of Harakat al-Nujaba, a faction of Hashed al-Shaabi, a group integrated into Iraq’s armed forces. While the US justified the action as self-defense, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani denounced it as “blatant aggression” and expressed determination to terminate the anti-militant coalition’s presence.
Impact of Geopolitical Tensions on Iraq
The geopolitical tensions in the region, fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict, have heightened the impact on Iraq. Iraq’s government has signaled its desire for foreign troops to leave the country. The escalating situation has led to increased attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq.
The United States currently maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the multinational coalition formed in response to the rise of the Islamic State group.
