Washington: US Military Movements Are not Linked to the Iraqi Interior

US Army soldiers stand outside their armored vehicle south of Mosul (File photo: AP)
US Army soldiers stand outside their armored vehicle south of Mosul (File photo: AP)
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Washington: US Military Movements Are not Linked to the Iraqi Interior

US Army soldiers stand outside their armored vehicle south of Mosul (File photo: AP)
US Army soldiers stand outside their armored vehicle south of Mosul (File photo: AP)

 

United States Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski denied any possible action after news circulating about large-scale movements that US forces have been making in Iraq in recent weeks. 

The US official made the remarks on Wednesday following a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at the Iraqi ministry’s headquarters.  

These movements were part of the exchange of existing forces, Romanowski said, denying that these military movements are linked to Iraq’s internal affairs. 

The US ambassador stressed the US government's keenness to continue cooperation and development of common interests with Iraq. 

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Wednesday that the two officials discussed the overall Iraqi-American relations, and ways to enhance joint cooperation in the economic and development fields, in light of the strategic framework agreement, and in a way that benefits the interests of the two friendly countries. 

The meeting also discussed the Al-Hol camp in Syria and the problems that face the transfer of some families from the camp to Iraq. 

Earlier, Khalid Al-Yaqoubi, the security affairs advisor to the premier, refuted claims about a US troop buildup in Iraq.  

However, in statements to the official Iraqi News Agency, he affirmed that “there is a rotation of American units present in Syria.” 

Iraq has witnessed nearly daily reports, images, and videos showing significant American military activity in the country. 

Kataib Hezbollah issued a statement on Thursday saying that the movement of the American occupation military convoys in some Iraqi cities is evidence of the enemy’s intransigence to keep its forces in the country.  

It added that if the resistance decided to fight then it would smack their malicious plots for the region. 

Dr. Ihsan Al-Shammari, head of the Iraqi Political Thinking Center in Baghdad, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the talk about these movements is linked to several factors. 

Among these factors is the link between these rumors and the recent escalation between armed factions and the American forces, in addition to the US forces' movements and repositioning on the Iraqi-Syrian geographical level in order to tighten the grip on the armed militias.  

The talk about military build-up is linked to the Iraqi’s frustration with the political parties and forces and the current authority’s equation as well as the corruption and mismanagement resulting from it. 

These factors contributed to suggesting that an American military intervention in Iraq is likely. 

“I personally don’t rule out that the forces respond in case their interests were jeopardized in Iraq or were targeted by some factions,” added Al-Shammari. 



Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
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Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)

Lebanese state media said the Israeli army on Friday detonated explosives planted inside houses in three border villages that have been battered by the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah says it is engaged in fighting Israeli forces in the area, more than a month into an Israeli ground invasion aimed at pushing the Iran-backed group away from the border.

"Since this morning, the Israeli enemy's army has been carrying out bombing operations inside the villages of Yaroun, Aitaroun and Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil area, with the aim of destroying residential homes there," the official National News Agency said.

Israeli forces also conducted a raid in the nearby town of Bint Jbeil, NNA said, after Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops in the flashpoint border region, AFP reported.

Hezbollah said on Thursday it had "ambushed" Israeli ground forces attempting to infiltrate Yaroun.

The group has claimed eight operations since Wednesday targeting Israeli troops on the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras.

Friday's explosions are the latest in a string of similar incidents that have impacted the border area.

According to NNA, Israeli troops blew up buildings in at least seven border villages last month.

Footage verified by AFP on Monday showed massive blasts that ripped through Mais al-Jabal and reduced homes to rubble.

Israel's Channel 12 last month broadcast footage appearing to show one of its presenters blow up a building while embedded with soldiers in the village of Aita al-Shaab.