The USA blames them for the deadly attack on US troops in Jordan: Now the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Iraq wants to pause its attacks. It is still unclear how the USA will react.
After the deadly drone attack on US soldiers in Jordan, the pro-Iranian Hezbollah brigades in Iraq have announced that they will suspend their “military operations” against US troops.
This is intended to “spare the Iraqi government any embarrassment,” the paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah said on its website. Washington had previously announced a “very consistent” response to the drone attack that left three dead and more than 40 injured.
Iran-backed coalition
The US Department of Defense had pointed out that the Hezbollah brigades were possibly responsible for the attack on the “Tower 22” base near the border with Syria and Iraq. A spokesman did not directly address the militia’s announcement, but noted that there have been three more since Sunday’s attack.
“The Iranian proxy groups” were asked to stop their attacks. “They have not done that and so we will respond at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
According to the Iraqi government, Kataib Hezbollah’s announcement was preceded by negotiations by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani aimed at preventing escalation. Government circles in Baghdad said the attack was “obviously one step too many.” Now everyone is at a crossroads.
The Hezbollah Brigades is a group affiliated with the Hashed al-Shaabi network. The network is an Iran-backed coalition of former paramilitaries that was incorporated into Iraq’s regular army.
“Don’t need a bigger war”
US President Joe Biden accused Iran of procuring the weapons for the deadly drone attack. “I hold them responsible in the sense that they provided the weapons to the people who did this,” Biden said. The government in Tehran denied any connection to the attack.
After days of speculation, Biden says he has now decided how the US will respond to the drone attack. But he didn’t want to give details.
Asked how the U.S. response would differ from previous responses to attacks by Iran-backed groups, he said: “We’ll see.” And: “I don’t think we need a major war in the Middle East.” Biden came under domestic political pressure as a result of the attack in the election year: Republicans accused him of inaction.