For the second consecutive week, Iraqi armed factions did not carry out attacks against American troops deployed at the country’s western Ain al-Asad base and Harir base near Erbil in the Kurdistan Region.
Circles close to the factions claimed that the calm prevailed in wake of a visit by Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani to Baghdad last week.
Other informed sources stressed, however, that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani should be credited for the calm after he held a series of meetings with the top Shiite leaders in the pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
The sources close to the factions and Tehran continued to assert that the agreement to restore calm was reached after the Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most prominent pro-Iran factions, decided to suspend its operations against American interests in Iraq and Syria.
Other political sources refuted the claim, saying that had the calm been arranged by Qaani, it would have involved the Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada factions, which had both openly rejected the truce declared by Kataib Hezbollah.
They vowed to continue their operations, saying the Kataib Hezbollah should join them.
The sources said Qaani made a surprise visit to Baghdad where he informed the factions of the need to de-escalate the situation to avert more retaliatory American strikes that could “target their leaders or main infrastructure or even seek direct revenge against Iran.”
The calm continues to hold in spite of the objection expressed by some parties.
Meanwhile, an Iraqi political source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the truce was arranged by PM Sudani, who is also commander of the armed forces.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the PM took firm stances towards achieving this calm, especially since the attacks started to pose a threat to Iraq’s security and stability.
He informed all parties the need to restore calm so that communication could continue between him and American officials within the joint military commission.
The commission had kicked off meetings two weeks ago and is aimed at reaching an understanding over how to arrange relations between Baghdad and the international coalition fighting ISIS, as well as discuss the future of the American troop deployment in Iraq.
The source revealed that contacts were made with the Iranians – through main Shiite leaders who enjoy ties with them – to allow the government the opportunity to reach an understanding with the coalition and over the American deployment. These agreements cannot be reached without lengthy negotiations.
The source underscored Sudani’s keenness on shifting relations with the coalition to the bilateral level, while also taking into account Iran’s desire to prevent the conflict from spreading. This position aligns with Washington’s that also wants to avoid an escalation.
The PM has even received an invitation from US Vice President Kamal Harris to visit Washington, reflecting the balanced position he has managed to reach between the US and Iran.
Sudani was expected to visit Washington to meet President Joe Biden in September 2023, but the plans fell through for undisclosed reasons.
