U.S. Secretary of State's Visit to Iraq
On December 13, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This visit comes amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. During his visit, Blinken conveyed a message from President-elect Donald Trump, urging the Iraqi government to refrain from interfering in Syrian affairs and to prevent Iranian-backed factions from escalating conflicts.
Iraqi Government's Stance on Regional Interference
Fadi Al-Shammari, an advisor to Prime Minister al-Sudani, described Blinken's visit as a positive step that underscores the cooperative relationship between Iraq and the United States. He emphasized Iraq's commitment to mediating regional crises and maintaining its sovereignty. Al-Shammari reiterated that Iraq seeks to avoid conflicts that do not benefit its citizens and supports initiatives aimed at stabilizing Syria while respecting its territorial integrity.
Resistance Factions Respond to U.S. Demands
In contrast, members of the Iraqi resistance factions expressed skepticism regarding U.S. demands. Firas Al-Yasser from the Al-Nujaba Movement characterized the American threats as psychological warfare, arguing that they aim to destabilize Iraq. Sheikh Kazem Al-Fartousi of the Sayyed Al-Shuhada Brigades insisted that the issue of resistance weapons is an internal matter, rejecting any external interference. He criticized U.S. calls for disarmament as illogical, asserting that the resistance was formed to confront occupation forces. Al-Fartousi also noted the ongoing threat of U.S. or Israeli attacks on Iraqi factions, emphasizing their readiness to respond to any aggression.
