Iranian-backed militias in Iraq call on US forces to ‘leave immediately’ amid attacks

By AP 21 October 2023, 3:23 am

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Demonstrators burn banners showing the US and Israeli flags during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, in Iraq's southern city of Basra on October 20, 2023. (Hussein Faleh/AFP)

BAGHDAD — A group of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq say US forces “must leave immediately” or their bases in Iraq and elsewhere in the region will continue to come under attack.

Militant groups have launched rocket and drone attacks in recent days against US bases in Iraq and Syria, most of which were claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The group has said the attacks are retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel and a warning not to intervene in the Israel-Hamas war.

“These are only warning messages to them, and serious work has not yet begun,” the militias say in a statement.

The statement concludes by saying that if Israel launches a ground invasion into Gaza, “watch the border with Jordan carefully.” It doesn’t elaborate.