As Iraqi prime minister preps DC trip, Iran’s militias fire rockets daily
The militias are often part of the official paramilitary forces called Popular Mobilization Units. Some have direct links to the Iranian IRGC.
By SETH J. FRANTZMANIraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi delivers a speech during the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 7, 2020(photo credit: IRAQI PARLIAMENT MEDIA OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi is supposed to be in Washington for high-level meetings on August 20. He will be discussing strategic dialogue with the US, the continued war against ISIS and what will happen to US troops in Iraq.The US has withdrawn from some bases amid tensions with pro-Iranian militias. Pro-Iranian political parties, many of them linked to the militias, have demanded the US leave Iraq.The militias are often part of the official paramilitary forces called Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Some have direct links to the Iranian IRGC.A recent list of rocket attacks in Iraq include an alleged attack near the Basmaya military base as US troops were leaving it on July 24; three 107-mm. Katyusha rockets fired at Camp Taji on July 27, August 3 and 15; more rockets fired near the Baghdad airport on July 28 and 30 and August 14; rockets found aimed at US forces on July 31; and rockets fired at the US Embassy in the Green Zone on August 5, 11 and 16.The list looks like the rocket fire is increasing to become daily. In addition, various new small militia groups linked to Iran have claimed attacks on supply convoys that bring items from Kuwait to US forces.There have been around five claimed attacks. The US-led coalition denied that one of them happened.This means Iran’s militias are increasingly active but also cautious. They have been careful to avoid casualties in the attacks, preferring messages through the attacks that show that they can inflict more harm.The US also has moved air-defense systems to Iraq over the past six months. Sirens now sound frequently in Baghdad and other places, warning of the rockets. The rockets are all of the Iranian 107-mm. Katyusha variety.It is widely suspected that Kataib Hezbollah, a part of the PMU that is linked to the IRGC, is behind the attacks. However, it has created various front organizations or cutouts that take responsibility. But these are fake groups that work as a cover for Kataib Hezbollah to give it plausible deniability. In June, Kadhimi sent counterterrorism forces to detain Kataib Hezbollah members.They were released days later and burned his image. Now, as Kadhimi goes to Washington, it appears that Iran wants to show who is boss in Baghdad.
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