A leader of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reacted aggressively May 9 to this week's visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Baghdad, which was not announced beforehand.
“Americans are in a trouble now, especially considering that US troops' bases are known in Iraq and the region and can be targeted easily,” a senior PMU commander, Moeen al-Kadhimi, said at a press conference two days after Pompeo's visit. He said, “Pompeo's statements indicate the great fear Americans are witnessing today.” Kadhimi said the targeting of US troops inside and outside of Iraq is always an option if the United States encroaches on Iraqi sovereignty.
On May 8, Nouri al-Maliki, a former prime minister and the head of the State of Law Coalition, said, “Iraq should distance itself from any regional or international conflict and its sovereignty must be respected.” In his meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David M. Satterfield, Maliki added, “Iraq should not be a departure point for any attack against others.”
Maliki, who is closed to Iran, was clearly referring to the recent US activities in Iraq against Iran. US President Donald Trump said early this year that US troops in Iraq are to monitor and maintain pressure on neighboring Iran. The US Embassy in Iraq criticized Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on its Facebook account. And last but not least, Pompeo's visit to Baghdad was a clear signal to Iran.
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