Iran-backed militias in Iraq under fire after attack on base kills two Americans
Iran-backed militias in Iraq are facing strong criticism from politicians and protesters after the attack on US troops at the Taji military base.
The Taji military base north of Baghdad was hit March 11 by 18 Katyusha rockets, killing one British and two American soldiers and injuring dozens. No one has claimed responsibility so far, but many fingers are pointed at the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) factions in Iraq.
Soon after the attack, unidentified jets hit the Imam Ali military base of Kata'ib Hezbollah, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Saraya Ashura and other Iraqi Shiite militias in Albukamal near a strategic Syrian border crossing with Iraq, killing about 25 and wounding dozens. No party has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iraqi officials including the president, prime minister, parliament speaker and many heads of political parties were quick to condemn the strike. President Barham Salih called it a "terrorist attack."
Kata'ib Hezbollah slammed the Iraqi officials and politicians who condemned the attack on US troops, calling them “cheap” politicians who “defend the killers.”
