Reactions varied to the American airstrikes that targeted positions of Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces on the Syria-Iraq border late Sunday into Monday. The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces condemned the U.S. attack, noting that the Popular Mobilization Forces are affiliated with the Iraqi central government in Baghdad. He stated, "We call for de-escalation and avoiding escalation in all its forms." He continued, "Iraq rejects being a battleground for settling scores and insists on its right to sovereignty over its territory."
For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi condemned the U.S. strikes against Iranian-backed Iraqi factions, considering them a "flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty." In a statement issued by his office, he reiterated Iraq's refusal to be a battleground for settling scores and emphasized its right to sovereignty over its territory and to prevent its use as a platform for reactions and aggressions, calling for "de-escalation and avoidance of escalation in all its forms."
In Washington, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi considered the strikes carried out by American planes as "defensive" and seemingly specific and appropriate in response to a serious threat. Pelosi confirmed in a statement released by the U.S. Congress that protecting American forces is a sacred priority.
Meanwhile, U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed his expectation for a briefing from the Biden administration regarding the strikes, acknowledging he understands the White House's motivations for protecting American forces. However, he noted that the scale and frequency of the attacks reflect a pattern of combat operations that Congress must approve.
Earlier, the Pentagon reported that the United States had conducted airstrikes on targets belonging to Iranian-backed militias in the border area between Iraq and Syria to "eliminate a threat" and in response to a series of attacks directed against "U.S. interests" in Iraq. The Pentagon emphasized that the strikes targeted weapon depots and facilities used by several groups, including "Kataib Hezbollah" and "Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada," which are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. This marks the second time the Biden administration has carried out focused airstrikes against the Popular Mobilization Forces on the Syria-Iraq border. According to Washington, Iranian-backed militias have intensified their attacks in Iraq recently, employing drone tactics targeting American interests.
