US-led coalition officer says no rise in Iranian threat in Iraq, Syria

The US-led military coalition combating the Islamic State group has detected no greater recent threat to its troops in Iraq or Syria from forces backed by Iran, a senior coalition officer says, in an apparent contradiction of Trump administration claims.

“No, there’s been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria,” British Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika told reporters at the Pentagon in a video conference from coalition headquarters in Baghdad. “We’re aware of their presence, clearly, and we monitor them, along with a whole range of others because that’s the environment we’re in.”

Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika during an interview. (YouTube screenshot)

His comment comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including assertions by administration officials that they have detected signs that Iranian or Iranian-backed proxies are preparing for possible attacks against American interests in the Mideast.

The administration cited the threats as the reason for expediting the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and other military resources to the region.

— AP