The ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran has reached a new level of escalation following the events in Baghdad. Iraq is a victim, being interested in good relations with both sides.
The US military response to Kataib Hezbollah brigades, one of the factions of pro-Iranian paramilitary forces Hashd al-Shaabi, could be to Iran's advantage.
After several attacks on their bases, US forces in Iraq targeted positions of the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah, which is blamed for the attacks. But this is exactly Iran's calculation. It would be too early to talk about a war through intermediaries (proxy) in Iraq, where the situation still does not have ingredients such as in Libya, Syria or Yemen. However, the 500 people killed and the 19,000 injured protesters indicate a growing brutality.
Numerous protesters were also abducted. Although released in most cases after a few days, they certainly cannot ignore the warning of the anonymous kidnappers, who made them abandon the demonstrations.
However, by attacking Kataib-Hezbollah positions, the US could confirm Iran's calculation. Forces close to Tehran may now be able to promote the idea that currently the priority is to combat the US presence in the country. With slogans such as "Fighting America" and "Fighting Zionism," Iran could significantly influence Iraq's position.
Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vehemently condemned the US airstrikes. US-Iran relations have deteriorated sharply since Donald Trump denounced the nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. The United States has significantly intensified sanctions against Iran, with several dangerous escalations of the conflict between the two sides. Baghdad has close ties with both Tehran and Washington.
On 27th of June, The United States on Sunday struck Iranian-backed militias on the Iraqi-Syrian border, killing at least five people, in response to the increase in drone attacks against their interests in Iraq. The blasts targeted operational centers and weapons depots in two locations in Syria and one in Iraq. It was the second such operation against pro-Iranian militias in Syria by the United States since President Joe Biden moved into the White House in January.
The targets have been selected because these facilities are used by Iranian-backed militias involved in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. US interests in Iraq have been the target of repeated attacks in recent months. The United States has consistently accused pro-Iran factions of being responsible.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 40 attacks have targeted US interests in the country, where 2,500 American soldiers are deployed in an international coalition to fight the Islamic State jihadist group.
For Iraq, Biden’s administration formulated the support for free and fair elections, the fight against pro-Iranian militias and terrorist groups as well as overcoming corruption, the Covid-19 Pandemic and its economic challenges as the main goals of US foreign policy in the country. But none of them happened and it might take more than several months for this agenda to be met. Until then, Iraq will maintain its position in the region, by continuing to fight against American forces.
Iraq the American-Iranian battlefield
