Iraq has condemned a US attack in the capital Baghdad which targeted a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces (Al-Hashd al-Shaabi). The US attack "undermines all agreements between Iraq and the US," Tahsin al-Khafaji, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, said in a statement late Wednesday. Baghdad holds the Washington and coalition forces responsible for this attack, which "threatens the security of Iraq," added al-Khafaji. He also stressed that the attack constitutes "an aggressive violation" of Iraq's sovereignty, and its repercussions will be serious for the region".
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that it had carried out an airstrike in Iraq, killing a senior leader of the Kataib Hezbollah resistance group who they said was "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region."
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have also, in separate statements, condemned the US drone attack on Baghdad.
“We strongly condemn the brutal attack that led to the martyrdom of Iraqi resistance leaders, and we consider it a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security. It was done in the service to the Zionist occupation regime”, Palestine's Sama news agency quoted a Hamas statement.
On Wednesday, Iraqi special forces were on high alert in Baghdad and further units were deployed inside the Green Zone housing international diplomatic missions including the US embassy, a security source said.
