U.S. Accused of Using Its Embassy for Covert Operations in Iraq
Accusations of espionage and military operations planning have been leveled against the United States by Iraq’s anti-terror group, Kata’ib Hezbollah. The group claims that the U.S. has turned its embassy in the fortified Green Zone of Baghdad into a command center for covert activities against the Iraqi nation. Abu Ali al-Askari, a senior official with Kata’ib Hezbollah, stated that the embassy, ostensibly a diplomatic site, is indeed a hub for plotting operations against Iraqis. Al-Askari also criticized certain Iraqi politicians for turning a blind eye to this issue, hinting that their political positions would disappear once foreign forces are expelled from Iraq.
Recent Attacks on U.S. Embassy
The accusation follows a recent incident where several mortar rounds hit the U.S. embassy compound. This attack marked one of a series of actions against U.S. forces since mid-October, which are linked to U.S. support for Israel during its offensive in Gaza. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, condemned the attack, blaming Kata’ib Hezbollah and another Iraqi group, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, for the incident.
Threats of Continued Resistance
Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi, leader of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, warned of more attacks on U.S. interests in response to an airstrike that claimed lives of his group’s members. Al-Kaabi affirmed that resistance against U.S. forces will persist until their withdrawal from Iraq. Such actions by Iraqi groups are seen as part of a broader regional resistance against U.S. and Israeli interests, which includes activities by the Yemeni army and Lebanese Hezbollah. Yemen’s Ansarullah movement recently seized a ship linked to Israel, considering it a legitimate target.
Implications for Iraq’s Future
The recent developments underscore the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iraqi resistance groups. This resistance movement reflects not only the desire for foreign forces to leave Iraq, but also a larger regional pushback against U.S. and Israeli interests. The implications of these actions on the stability of Iraq and the region are yet to be seen. However, the persistence of these groups in their resistance, coupled with the alleged covert activities of the U.S., paints a picture of a brewing conflict that could significantly alter the political landscape of Iraq and the Middle East.