A drone strike claimed by Washington has killed three, including two leaders of a pro-Iranian group

Two leaders of the Hezbollah Brigades, the influential pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group, and their driver were killed in Iraq on Wednesday evening in a drone strike that targeted their vehicle in the capital, Baghdad, in an explosive regional context. This new strike in Baghdad, almost a week after the American bombing in Iraq and Syria, Washington is committed to continued retaliation against armed pro-Iranian groups: on January 28 three American soldiers were killed in a drone attack in the middle of the Jordanian desert, on the Syrian border.

Abu Bakir al-Saadi, a senior commander of the Hezbollah Brigades – Katab Hezbollah in Arabic – was killed in a drone strike on Wednesday, an official from the influential group told AFP, adding that the leader was responsible. “Military File” in Syria. The US Middle East Military Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strike in Iraq, claiming that “A Kataeb Hezbollah commander directly responsible for planning and participating in attacks on American forces in the region”. “The United States will continue to take the necessary steps to protect us.”According to the press release, that suggests Washington will hold “To all those who threaten the safety of our forces.”

In Baghdad, an AFP photographer was able to see a large security deployment blocking all access to the strike site. In the evening the body of the car, which was nothing more than a pile of charred sheet metal, was removed. In total, three people, “two heads” The Hezbollah brigade and their driver were killed in the attack on the vehicle, an interior ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “A drone fires three rockets at a 4X4 car” in the Machtal district of eastern Baghdad, the official told AFP. Hachad al-Chaabi, a coalition of former paramilitaries that brings together pro-Iranian armed groups, confirmed Commander Saadi’s death in a press release.

“The Imprint of the Book”

Classified group “terrorist” Targeted by Washington and under sanctions, the Hezbollah brigade has been targeted by American strikes in Iraq in recent weeks. Considered one of the leaders of the group “Islamic Resistance in Iraq”.A cloud of pro-Iranian fighters has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks in recent weeks against American troops and their partners in the international anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq and Syria.

In total, since mid-October, more than 165 rocket attacks and drone attacks have targeted American troops in the Middle East, fueling violence in Gaza due to the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas. Reacting to the death of Commander Abu Bakir, the Iraqi al-Nujaba movement, of which he is a part. “Islamic Resistance” promised “targeted response”Make sure of that “These crimes will not go unpunished”. “You’ll know we’re running out of patience”, according to a press release. The group believes that “violation” The Americans will not stop without “Iraqi Government’s Firm Official Position”. Hamas condemned it “Violation of Iraq’s Sovereignty and Security”According to a press release.

there “Islamic Resistance in Iraq”. Justifies its action by highlighting its solidarity with Gaza, but also by demanding the departure from Iraq of 2,500 American troops deployed as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. Officials in Washington have already confirmed that the drone strike took place in Jordan “The Imprint of Katab Hizbullah”.

Faced with the threat of an American response, the group announced in late January “suspension” His attacks against American forces, while calling his fighters “Practice passive defense in the event of adverse American action against them”. About a week ago, the United States had already launched strikes against elite Iranian forces and targets of pro-Iranian armed groups in Syria and Iraq. 16 Hajd al-Chaabi fighters were killed in the bombings, which targeted areas of Iraq bordering Syria. For weeks, the Iraqi government has been unable to extricate itself from regional tensions, despite intensive diplomatic efforts, particularly with its American and Iranian partners.