Blinken urges Iraq to protect Coalition military advisors

BAGHDAD – The United States has urged Iraq to ensure the protection of Coalition military advisors from attacks by Iran-aligned militias, according to a statement issued after a late-night phone call on Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

During the conversation, Blinken “reiterated the importance of Iraq’s responsibility to protect Coalition military advisors from attacks by Iran-aligned militias” amid growing concerns over potential threats from those groups. The two leaders “discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance stability in the region and the importance of preventing escalation,” according to the State Department.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani “reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to preventing any actions that could destabilize security or endanger the advisors of the Global Coalition against Daesh in Iraq.” He also highlighted “the importance of continued communication between the two sides to end the coalition’s mission in Iraq and transition to a bilateral security relationship that enhances security and stability,” per a statement from Sudani’s office.

In addition to security concerns, Al-Sudani addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging major powers and international organizations “to fully play their role in halting the crimes being committed against the Palestinian people.” He also “called for the application of international laws against the aggressor [Israel] that is responsible for crimes against humanity and stop this brutal violence.”

Both Blinken and al-Sudani agreed to continue consultations on regional issues and to work towards strengthening U.S.-Iraq relations.

Since the latest phase of the Israel-Palestine conflict began on October 7, pro-Iranian Iraqi militias have launched over 165 attacks on U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria. Although the frequency of these attacks had decreased since April, they resumed in late July with several strikes, including one on August 5, when a rocket attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq’s Anbar province injured several U.S. personnel. Iraqi security forces subsequently arrested five individuals suspected of involvement in the attack.

The United States has conducted several retaliatory strikes in response to the militia attacks, actions that have been met with strong condemnation from the Iraqi government.

On Monday, the United States and its European allies issued a joint statement urging Iran to de-escalate its threats of a military attack against Israel. The statement, issued by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States, warned of serious consequences for regional security if such an attack were to take place.

However, Iran rejected these Western calls on Tuesday, reaffirming its intention to retaliate against Israel for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death on July 31, which occurred during his visit to the Iranian capital for the swearing-in of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has not commented on the incident.

Iran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death, which took place just hours after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior commander of Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.