Iraqi Resistance: US should withdraw all force, HMC plot to buy time

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Islamic Resistance in Iraq - Military Media
26 Jan 2024 19:10
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As talks between US and Iraqi officials on the role of US forces in Iraq near, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has released a statement outlining its firm stance on the matter.

Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq participate in the funeral procession of fighters killed in US airstrikes, in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 25, 2024. (AFP)

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq warned the Iraqi government and security apparatuses from "granting immunity to any foreign force under any pretext," in a statement released on Friday afternoon.

US attempts to buy time with HMC working groups

The remarks come against the backdrop of talks expected to be held between Iraqi and US officials to assess the future role of US-led coalition forces in the country, under the auspices of the "U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC)."

By renewing the processes of the HMC, the US seeks to claim that it is committed to "regional stability and Iraqi sovereignty," as asserted by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in an immediate release earlier.

However, the Iraqi Resistance said Washington's attempt to launch the HMC working groups is an attempt to further "confuse" the security situation in Iraq and "turn the tables on the [Islamic Resistance] and gain time to carry out more devilish crimes and plots to harm [the Iraqi] people and nation."

The Resistance stressed that the "American enemy" had only acted in "betrayal and tyranny," failing to implement for years the decisions of the Iraqi parliament and disregarding the masses' demand to expel foreign forces from the country.

Resistance demands all-encompassing withdrawal

Moreover, the Resistance stressed that the American move to comply with the Iraqi government's request to commence the HMC's work "would not have occurred" were it not for the factions' operations against US assets in the region.

In this context, the Resistance promised to carry on with its operations against "foreign presence", advising authorities not to engage in dialogue with the US regarding its "alleged withdrawal" from Iraq, until it shows that it is seriously committed to such action.

On his part, the head of the security office of Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah reiterated the Resistance's steadfast position against the foreign presence on Iraqi soil.

The Islamic Resistance explained that a withdrawal should encompass the withdrawal of US drones, military aircraft, and all other forces from Iraq. It added that the US military should hand over command centers to the Iraqi side and call back all of its military officers from the site.

Finally, the group stressed, "While expressing our appreciation for the stances of those rejecting foreign dominance, we warn against granting immunity to any foreign force under any pretext. This also includes any commitment from the government or its security apparatus to protect these invading killers. If this happens, it would be a historical betrayal of Iraq and the blood of its martyrs."

Iraqi MOFA and Pentagon statements show disparity

Earlier on Thursday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that Baghdad and Washington have agreed to form a committee to begin discussions on a timeframe for the gradual departure of American soldiers from the nation. The Ministry said in a statement that military officials would meet to discuss the future of the US-led military coalition in Iraq.

According to the Ministry, both countries agreed to create working committees to develop "a specific and clear timeline" that will allow the "gradual reduction of its (the coalition's) advisers on Iraqi soil," adding that the timeline will depend on the "threat posed by IS and its danger," as well as the "reinforcement of the capacities of the Iraqi security forces."

However, the immediate release issued by the Pentagon made no mention of the "gradual reduction" of coalition forces in Iraq. Instead, the statement said that experts from both sides will discuss how the "Coalition's mission" would "transition on a timeline that considers" aforementioned factors.