Iranian-backed fighters in Iraq have warned the US military to leave the country “immediately” or US bases in the region will come under attack, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
Rocket and drone attacks have hit US bases in Iraq and Syria in recent days, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq – which analysts describe as a network of armed groups linked to Iran – has claimed responsibility for most.
The group said its attacks and ultimatum for US forces to leave is retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel as well as a warning for the US to not intervene in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, AP reports.
“These are only warning messages to them, and serious work has not yet begun,” the groups said in a statement.
The statement concluded by saying that if Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza, “watch the border with Jordan carefully”. It did not elaborate.
I put that together with this article from a couple of months ago:
IRGC commander advises Iraqi resistance against attacks on US bases: Report (8/17/2023)
My interpretation of that older story is that the IRGC was saying, "Hey, instead of some tit-for-tat bullshit, save it for the right time. We're all going to do it together and make sure it's effective and permanent."
So maybe this is the right time.