Middle East
US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller speaking to reporters on January 3, 2024. Photo: handout
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US officials continue reminding Iraqi officials during their private conversations that they have a responsibility to protect American troops based in Iraq, Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday.
Miller told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda during a presser that US officials "consistently'' tell their Iraqi counterparts that "they have a responsibility to take action against any group that launches attacks against US forces who are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to engage in a very important counterterrorism mission. And we expect them to fulfil their responsibility."
He added that Washington “will not hesitate to defend ourselves when necessary.”
Iran-aligned militia groups have targeted US interests in Iraq and Syria with rockets and drones over 100 times since October 17, in response to American support for Israel in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of shadow Iraqi militia groups backed by Iran and affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has claimed responsibility for most of the recent attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria.
An explosive-laden drone targeting a base housing forces of the US-led coalition near Erbil International Airport was intercepted on Tuesday.
The strike marked the third time forces of the international coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) had been targeted in Erbil since Saturday.
Miller told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda during a presser that US officials "consistently'' tell their Iraqi counterparts that "they have a responsibility to take action against any group that launches attacks against US forces who are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to engage in a very important counterterrorism mission. And we expect them to fulfil their responsibility."
He added that Washington “will not hesitate to defend ourselves when necessary.”
Iran-aligned militia groups have targeted US interests in Iraq and Syria with rockets and drones over 100 times since October 17, in response to American support for Israel in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of shadow Iraqi militia groups backed by Iran and affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has claimed responsibility for most of the recent attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria.
An explosive-laden drone targeting a base housing forces of the US-led coalition near Erbil International Airport was intercepted on Tuesday.
The strike marked the third time forces of the international coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) had been targeted in Erbil since Saturday.
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