The Iraqi government denies prior coordination of US strikes and confirms the toll of casualties and wounded
The Iraqi government denies prior coordination of US strikes and confirms the toll of casualties and wounded
2024-02-03 01:25
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi government spokesman, Bassem Al-Awadi, denied on Saturday that there was prior coordination between Baghdad and Washington regarding the strikes directed by American forces targeting security forces’ positions in Anbar Governorate, west of the country, confirming that there were 16 casualties and 25 wounded as a result of that “aggression.”
Al-Awadi said in a statement today, “The American administration committed a new aggression against the sovereignty of Iraq, as the locations of our security forces, in the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, as well as neighboring civilian places, were bombed by several American aircraft.”
He added, “This blatant aggression led to 16 martyrs, including civilians, in addition to 25 wounded. It also caused losses and damage to residential buildings and citizens’ property.”
Al-Awdi also pointed out that “the American side then deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and disavowing legal responsibility for this rejected crime in accordance with all international laws and laws.”
He added, “This aggressive strike will put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, and it also contradicts efforts to establish the required stability.”
The federal government spokesman went on to say, “Iraq reiterates its refusal to let its lands be an arena for settling scores, and all parties must realize this. Our country’s land and sovereignty are not the appropriate place to send messages and show force between opponents.”
He stressed that “the presence of the international coalition, which deviated from the tasks assigned to it and the mandate granted to it, has become a reason for threatening security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving Iraq in regional and international conflicts.”
Al-Awadi continued to say, “The Iraqi government will make every effort required by moral, national, and constitutional responsibility to protect our land, our cities, and the lives of our children in all types of armed forces.”
The Anbar Operations Command of the Popular Mobilization Forces had reported, earlier this morning, that more than 40 members of the Mobilization Forces had fallen victim or wounded as a result of the American bombing that targeted their positions in the governorate, which is located in western Iraq.
The command said in a statement it published, “The 13th Al-Tafuf Brigade lost 16 martyrs and 25 wounded as a result of the cowardly American aggression on the Al-Anbar Operations Sector of the PMF.”
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed on Saturday that the Iraqi government had already been informed before the air attacks were launched.
Kirby stressed that “the American response began tonight, and will not end tonight.”
The American official noted, “We believe that the strikes were successful, and we do not know how many militants may have been killed or injured.”
The White House confirmed that all air strikes succeeded in hitting their targets in Iraq and Syria.
Kirby stated that “the facilities that were targeted are used by groups affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to target American forces in the Middle East.”
He noted that “there have been no contacts with Iran since the killing of 3 American soldiers in northeastern Jordan.”
At dawn today, the US Army’s Central Command reported that its forces launched 85 air strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting sites of the Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated militia groups.
US President Joe Biden had directed the military forces to strike targets in Iraq and Syria that were used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its militias to attack American forces, he said, stressing that although the United States was not seeking escalation in the Middle East, it would inevitably respond to those who Hurts Americans.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasoul, on Saturday morning, considered the American strikes that targeted areas in the west of the country a “violation of Iraqi sovereignty.”
While White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed today, Saturday, that the United States had already informed the Iraqi government before launching the air attacks.
shafaq.com
