In a recent wave of military actions, at least 16 people, including civilians, lost their lives in US airstrikes targeting Iraq. The government of Iraq strongly condemned what it termed as a “new aggression against” its sovereignty and issued a dire warning about potential repercussions in the region.
The strikes, conducted with B1 bombers, hit locations in the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, impacting both civilian and security areas. The casualties included civilians, and 25 people sustained injuries. The Iraqi government emphasized that the attacks endangered security and stability, pushing the region to the brink of chaos.
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The United States, in response, warned of further retaliatory actions, justifying the strikes as necessary to deter Iran-aligned groups. However, Iraq disputed claims of coordination with Washington, labeling them as “false” and an attempt to mislead international public opinion.
The situation intensified as Iran-aligned groups retaliated, launching attacks on US bases in Syria, as well as western and northern Iraq. The Iraqi government, further infuriated, summoned the US charge d’affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal protest.
These events underscore the strained relations between the US-led military coalition and Iraq, with the government accusing the coalition of using its bases as a launching pad for attacks. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office stated that the coalition’s presence had become a threat to Iraq’s security and stability, dragging the country into regional and international conflicts.
The airstrikes, prompted by an attack in Jordan that claimed the lives of American soldiers, drew condemnation from Syria as well. The Syrian Ministry of Defence accused the US of attempting to weaken the Syrian Arab Army and its allies in the fight against terrorism, particularly in areas with remnants of the ISIS armed group.
The fallout from these events has raised concerns globally, with Iran condemning the US actions as “adventurous” and a “strategic error” that would only exacerbate instability in the region. As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, hoping for diplomatic efforts to prevail over military actions in the quest for lasting peace.
Iraq’s government said regional security on the abyss after 16 people were killed, including civilians, in US airstrikes overnight https://t.co/tRqslvPDUV
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