Iraq warns that the Middle East is now on the 'edge of the abyss' after 16 deaths in US reprisals against Iranian-backed militias
IRAQ has denounced US airstrikes following Friday's attack, warning that the “aggressive attack” is putting the region “on the brink of collapse”.
America launched missiles against more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria on Fridayincluding Iranian-backed militias, killing 34 people in both countries.
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The White House said Iraq had been warned ahead of the blitz, which targeted the militia's “command and control headquarters” and ammunition depots.
America also targeted targets in linked countries That of Iran Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and affiliated groups.
Iran has been repeatedly linked to the ongoing conflict escalating in the Middle East, and is believed to be financing and supplying weapons to groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The US bombed 85 targets in seven different locations on Friday, hitting four points in Syria and three in Iraq.
Leaked documents suggested the US attack would take place after three hours American troops were killed in Jordan by an Iranian-made drone, piloted from Iraq.
But Iraq said on Saturday that the US was “misleading public opinion” by claiming it had issued an explicit warning.
Iraqi officials said 16 people, including civilians, were killed and 25 others injured.
They raged: “This aggressive attack will bring security in Iraq and the region to the brink of collapse, and also contradicts efforts to achieve the required stability.
“Iraq reiterates its refusal to allow its country to be an arena for settling scores, and all parties must realize this.
“The country and our country's sovereignty are not the appropriate place to send messages and show violence between adversaries.
“The Iraqi government will do everything required by its moral, national and constitutional responsibility to protect our country, our cities and the lives of our children in all types of armed forces.”
Syrian media also said cities in the east of the country were affected.
Officials said the strikes had “fueled the conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way.”
And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 18 people were killed in the attacks on their territory.
While Iran-affiliated targets were hit, Iran itself was not hit.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani warned that the US has made a mistake that will increase “tension and instability.”
The US Central Command revealed that the attacks used more than 125 munitions delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range bombers.
American president Joe Biden said Friday: “Let anyone who would harm us know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.”
Britain expressed its support on Saturday, saying the US has the “right to respond” to the attacks on American troops.
A government spokesperson said: “The UK and the US are steadfast allies.
“We do not wish to comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks.
“We have long condemned Iran's destabilizing activities throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support for a number of militant groups.”
It came after Biden and his wife Jill joined the grieving families of US soldiers killed in the Middle East and watched their remains return home.
They were killed in a drone strike at the Tower 22 base in Jordan last Sunday.
They were Sergeant William Rivers, 46, Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24, and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23.
More than forty soldiers were also injured. The outpost was hit by an Iranian-made drone piloted from Iraq, just six miles away.
The Islamic Resistance, an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias in the region, claimed responsibility.
It said it was in response to US support for Israel – the same motivation that groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah use in their attacks on Western troops or ships in the region.
Official sources announced this earlier this week plans for retaliatory attacks and said they would involve an attack on the Iranian people and Iranian facilities.
The bomb plan was leaked as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin denounced the barrage of drone and missile attacks recently carried out by Iranian-backed militias on US forces in the Middle East.
He said Thursday afternoon: “The president will not tolerate attacks on American troops, and neither will I.”
“Our teammates were killed by radical militants, supported by Iranactive in Syria and Iraq.”
Mr Austin added that Iran-backed rebels have been “trying to stir up further unrest” since the Hamas terror group unleashed its terror on Israel. October 7which left 1,200 people dead and 240 taken hostage.
He stated: “This is a dangerous moment in the Middle East.
“We will take all necessary measures to defend the United States, our interests and our people.
“We will respond when we choose, where we choose and how we choose. That's what everyone here is focused on.”
Iran is a crucial supporter of Hamas and many other terrorist groups in the Middle East, including the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are behind recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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