The Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, also known as the Hezbollah Brigades, vowed to blind-side US forces in a sudden attack only a day after Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba confirming the US being given a “window” for completing the withdrawal of troops.
Local media agencies reported Iran’s Fars News citing Hezbollah Brigades Spokesperson Mohieh Mohammed as saying that the “axis of resistance” in Iraq derives its strength from the whole alliance in the region and that it “possesses qualitative capabilities.”
“The mission of resistance factions is always to be prepared to face threats,” said Mohammed.
After asserting the Iran-aligned militias’ power, Mohammed moved on to threaten US troops in Iraq, whose presence he dubbed as illegal, saying they will be attacked unexpectedly and without notice.
“We warn the Americans in Iraq against a surprise operation against them, as the presence of US forces in Iraq is illegal and contradicts the Iraqi parliament’s decision to expel them from the country,” said the militia spokesperson.
“We had promised that occupying US forces would be surprised by the skills, capabilities, and weapons acquired by the resistance if they dared to defy Iraqi will and kept their troops in Iraq,” he explained.
He confirmed the resistance militias’ arsenal, whether in Iraq or Syria, is equipped with deterrent weapons such as missiles and drones.
It is noteworthy that Mohammed’s statements follow an announcement by an official spokesman of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba revealing that US representatives had spoken to mediators about a deadline given to them by armed factions close to Iran to complete their withdrawal from Iraq.
Even though resistance factions in Syria and Iraq operate with Iranian assistance, Tehran is actively trying to distance itself from attacks these proxies are staging against US forces in the two Levantine countries.
Iran’s UN envoy Majid Takht Ravanchi denied on Saturday US accusations that Tehran supported attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria.
On Tuesday, the US told the UN Security Council that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on US personnel or facilities.
