ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Former US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad on Monday called on Washington to consider “eliminating” the military capabilities of pro-Iran militia groups in Iraq if their involvement in attacks on US forces based in the Kurdistan Region is confirmed.
“There are allegations from serious people that the attacks on Kurdish targets by pro-IRGC Iraqi groups are funded by the Iraqi government. There are also allegations that the same groups are behind some of the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad and on our forces stationed in Kurdistan, and even on hotels where Americans are known to stay,” said Khalilzad on X.
He also mentioned the political representatives of these groups in the Iraqi parliament who chanted “Death to America” during a Saturday session.
“If these allegations are found to be true, the US Administration must consider targeting these groups to eliminate their military capabilities, and press Baghdad to end all financial support to them,” he suggested.
Several Iraq-based pro-Iran militia groups have claimed responsibility for drone and rocket attacks on US interests in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and other targets.
Some of the groups are affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), or Hashd al-Shaabi, which are on Baghdad’s payroll.
Kurdish leaders on Sunday warned that they will no longer tolerate such attacks, calling on Baghdad to take “serious” steps to stop the assaults.
The Iraqi government has deployed troops to areas bordering the Kurdistan Region to prevent the attacks, but the move has not diminished the strikes targeting Erbil International Airport, energy infrastructure, and civilian sites.
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