Iraq condemns U.S. drone strike as 'clear aggression,' violation of sovereignty

Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Iraq on Thursday harshly chastised the United States for a retaliatory drone strike that killed a commander of an Iran-backed militia within its borders, calling it "a clear aggression and violation of Iraqi sovereignty" that is "dragging the region into dangerous repercussions."

U.S. Central Command launched the strike Wednesday in response to an attack on Tower 22 base in Jordan late last month that killed three U.S. service members and injured some 40 others.

CENTCOM said the slain senior commander of the Kataib Hezbollah terrorist organization was responsible for planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region. However, Iraqi spokesman Tahseen Al Khafaji said those killed were leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraq state-sponsored umbrella security group that includes several U.S.-designated terrorists.

"This new aggression is considered an undermining of all understandings," Al Khafaji said in a statement on X.

"We also hold the American side and the coalition forces responsible for the repercussions of these dangerous actions that threaten the security and safety of the country and clearly affect the talks taking place between the two sides."

The U.S. military is in Iraq at the request of Baghdad to support the coalition mission to defeat the Islamic State, and the attack comes as the two allies discuss the withdrawal of the remaining American troops in the country.

Their relationship has begun to fray as the United States launches retaliatory strikes within Iraq's borders in response to Iran-backed militias, who have been increasing attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in the wake of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Early last month, the United States killed the leader of an Iranian proxy militia inside Baghdad. The office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani described the strike as "no different from terrorist activities" and a "blatant aggression and violation of Iraqi sovereignty and security."

On Thursday, the office issued a statement from Yehia Rasool, the prime minister's military affairs spokesman, who lashed out at the United States over its most recent strike, calling it a "blatant assassination" that showed "no regard for civilian lives or international laws."

"The American forces jeopardize civil peace, violate Iraqi sovereignty and disregard the safety and lives of our citizens," he said.

"This trajectory compels the Iraqi government more than ever to terminate the mission of this coalition, which has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict."