Islamic Resistance in Iraq calls on 'brothers in jihad' to help expel US troops

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror groups, has called on "our brothers in jihad to join the ranks of the resistance" and help drive out US troops from the Arab country.

The call made in a statement issued Friday came after the US military admitted responsibility for a drone strike in Baghdad Wednesday night, which killed three people, including senior Kata'ib Hezbollah commander Abu Baqer al-Saadi. 

The statement touched on the "opportunity" which it said the group had granted to "the occupation forces to leave the land of the sanctities", suggesting that the chance had been withdrawn after the assassination. 

"The opportunity of the past days has certainly revealed to the Iraqi people, friends, and responsible entities that the occupying enemy does not leave its villainy and treachery, nor does it understand any language other than the language of arms.

"This was clearly demonstrated in its recent targeting of the fighters of the Popular Mobilization Forces ... and its crimes were further increased by the assassination of the great leader Abu Baqir al-Saadi in Baghdad, thereby violating all rules of engagement," it said.

"We call on our brothers in jihad to join the ranks of the resistance ... (and) participate actively in expelling the occupation at this historic stage for Iraq and the region," the group added.

Saadi, commander in charge of Kata’ib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria, was assassinated on Wednesday night after a US drone strike hit a moving vehicle east of the Iraqi capital. Two other Kata’ib Hezbollah officials also lost their lives in the attack.

US kills top resistance commander in drone strike against Baghdad

The US military carries out a drone strike against Baghdad, killing three people, including a senior commander of Iraq

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had assassinated the “commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region.”

On Thursday, Iraq said repeated US strikes in the country are pushing the Baghdad government to end the presence of American troops, calling them a cause of instability. 

Yahya Rasool, military spokesperson for Iraqi Prime Minister Shia' al-Sudani, said the so-called US coalition "has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict".

“This path pushes the Iraqi government more than ever before to end the coalition's mission which has become a factor of instability for Iraq.”

Early this month, at least 16 Iraqis were killed in US airstrikes ordered by President Joe Biden following the deadly drone attack on the American base in Jordan.  

The US aggression has agitated the Iraqi government which is pushing Washington to discuss a timeline for the withdrawal of its troops in the Arab country. 

The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq with the express purpose of advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of Daesh. However, they have repeatedly targeted anti-terror groups integrated into the official Iraqi armed forces.   

Anti-US sentiments have also been growing in the region over Washington’s unconditional support for Israel’s atrocious onslaught against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched the war on Gaza following a historic operation by Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

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