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On January 30, 2024, the Iran-backed Hizbullah Brigades in Iraq announced that it is ceasing attacks against U.S. forces and emphasized that Iran had no role in the past attacks launched by the group against U.S. bases in the region.[1]
The statement, which was published on Telegram, comes only a few days after President Joe Biden said that the U.S. would respond to the drone strike that killed three American service members and injured dozens in Jordan.
The attack was the most serious of scores of strikes launched by Iran-backed militias in the region on U.S. forces in the Middle East in support of the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7.
"Iran Has No Ties To Anti-U.S. Attacks"
In its statement, which was signed by the group's leader, Abu Hussien Al-Hamidawi, the group took sole responsibility for launching attacks against U.S. bases in the region, stressing that Iran was not involved in the decision-making process, nor in the logistics that led to these attacks.
It further claimed that Tehran had often advised the group not to escalate attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
"The Islamic Resistance, the Hizbullah Brigades, has made its decision to support our oppressed people in Gaza, who will persevere with their will, and without any interference from others. Indeed, our brothers in the axis [of resistance], especially in the Islamic Republic [of Iran], do not know how our jihadi action works, and they often objected to the pressure and escalation against the American occupation forces in Iraq and Syria."
Ceasing Attacks On U.S. Targets
Announcing the suspension of the attacks against U.S. forces, the statement claimed that the decision comes to spare the Iraqi government any embarrassment:
"As we announce the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces, [we do so] to spare the Iraqi government the embarrassment. We will continue to defend our people in Gaza in other ways, and we recommend to the brave Mujahideen of the free Hizbullah Brigades to commit to passive defense temporarily. If any hostile American action occurs towards them, then may Allah decide, and to Allah all matters shall be returned."
[1] Telegram, January 30, 2024.
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