BAGHDAD, Jan 27 (NNN-NINA) – The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iraqi Shiite militia, vowed yesterday, to continue its attacks on military bases housing U.S. forces, until all U.S. troops leave the country, rejecting a proposed U.S.-Iraq commission to oversee a “transition” of the bilateral security partnership.
In an online statement, the group, which has claimed dozens of attacks on bases in Iraq and Syria, dismissed the U.S. proposal as a “deceptive tactic,” designed to “buy more time” for its troops to carry out “more crimes to harm Iraqi people.”
The group accused the U.S. of ignoring long-standing demands from the Iraqi government, for a complete withdrawal, claiming it masked a “malicious agenda” in Iraq and the region.
On Thursday, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced its intention, to “formulate a specific and clear timetable” for gradually reducing the presence of international coalition advisers in Iraq, ultimately leading to the end of the U.S.-led international coalition’s mission.
This aligns with U.S. statements, with U.S. Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, emphasising the discussions will focus on “transitioning to an enduring bilateral security partnership” between the two nations.
However, the scope of the proposed “Higher Military Commission (HMC)” remains a point of contention. While the Iraqi Foreign Ministry claims, the HMC’s purpose is to discuss the end of the coalition mission, the Pentagon maintains, the talks will focus on broader security cooperation, not withdrawal.– NNN-NINA
