CIA warns Baghdad of serious consequences if attacks against US personnel continue
The logo of the US Central Intelligence Agency is shown in the lobby of the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Amidst the repeated attacks launched by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias targeting US military bases, whether in Iraq or Syria, despite the limited US response so far, resentment is rising behind the scenes.
An Iraqi official revealed that the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, warned the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, during his recent visit to the region of serious consequences if he did not take action to stop these attacks, according to the AP.
A US official also stated that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, informed Al-Sudani a few days ago that Washington expects Iraqi officials to take further measures to prevent such attacks and believes that they have the ability to do so.
Two Iraqi officials indicated that Blinken assured the Iraqi Prime Minister that Washington would deal with the matter itself, indicating that Baghdad had not done enough to prosecute those involved.
Last week, after the major attack that targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad, Al-Sudani confirmed the Iraqi government’s commitment to protecting diplomatic missions, as well as those working within the international coalition mission and its facilities. He also vowed to pursue and arrest those involved.
Since mid-October, following the war that broke out between Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza, several military bases in Iraq and Syria housing US forces have been attacked by Iranian-backed armed groups.
These militias threatened to attack US interests in the region to put pressure on Washington, which strongly supports Tel Aviv.