US warns Iraq ‘dismantle’ Iran-backed militias, says it won’t allow attacks on American diplomats
WASHINGTON, DC: The US State Department blamed Iran-backed militia groups for launching attacks against American diplomats and installations in Iraq after a ceasefire agreement had been declared between the two countries.
In the statement, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reportedly summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Washington, Nizar Khirullah, in connection with the attack on US diplomats in Baghdad on Wednesday, April 8.
US strongly condemns 'egregious' attacks
The attacks reportedly came one day after President Donald Trump officially announced a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote that the US government offered "strong condemnation of the egregious te**orist attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups launched from Iraqi territory against US diplomatic personnel and facilities."
"These attacks come after hundreds in recent weeks against US citizens, diplomatic facilities, and commercial interests, as well as Iraq’s neighbors and Iraqi institutions and civilians, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," Pigott added
The statement also touched upon cases involving Iraq's neighbors and Iraq itself. According to the report released by the State Department, such a situation was a concern due to the deterioration of the security environment.
Iraq urged to act as tensions may impact relations with US
The State Department said the Iraqi government had a responsibility to prevent such attacks and suggested that a failure to do so could affect bilateral relations.
Pigott's statement alleged that the Iraqi government failed to prevent the Wednesday attacks and that any operational cover for the Iranian-backed militias strains relations between the US and Iraq.
According to the State Department's statement, the meeting between Landau and Khirullah was described as part of diplomatic efforts to address the situation and convey US concerns directly to Iraqi authorities. No further details were provided about specific actions discussed during the meeting.
“Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau today summoned Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Khirullah to express the US government’s strong condemnation of the egregious te**orist attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups launched from Iraqi territory against US diplomatic personnel and facilities, including the April 8 ambush of US diplomats in Baghdad,” it said.
“The Deputy Secretary stressed the United States will not tolerate attacks on US interests and expects the Iraqi government to immediately take all measures to dismantle the Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq,” the statement added.
This development follows a series of conflicts in the region, with several reports of skirmishes, even as attempts have been made to de-escalate using a ceasefire agreement.
