Iraqi Armed Group Announces "Conditional" Suspension of Attacks on US Embassy for 5 Days
Xinhua News Agency, Baghdad, March 19 (Reporter Li Jun, Duan Minfu) - The Iraqi Shiite armed group "Hezbollah Brigade" announced on the 19th that its leader has ordered a suspension of attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq for a period of five days, but has also put forward several conditions.
The statement said that the suspension of attacks must be executed in conjunction with the following conditions, including Israel's cessation of bombing operations in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a commitment from all parties not to launch airstrikes on residential areas in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and other provinces, and that personnel from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency must be restricted to the embassy premises. The statement emphasized that if the relevant conditions are not adhered to, the organization will resume and intensify its offensive actions.
The statement called for the Iraqi government and security forces to continue protecting foreign diplomatic missions and economic entities in Iraq, provided that their respective countries are not involved in the current conflict, and that personnel from Israel and U.S. military forces, who are regarded as "spies and war groups," are not included in the protection.
Since the large-scale military operations launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran on February 28, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, located in the "Green Zone" of Baghdad, has frequently been subjected to drone and rocket attacks. In the early hours of March 17, after the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was attacked, a fire broke out in the embassy facilities.
Hezbollah Brigades announced a five-day suspension of attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, contingent upon several conditions, including a halt to Israeli bombings in Beirut. The group warned that if these conditions are not met, they will resume and intensify their attacks. This announcement follows a series of drone and rocket strikes on the embassy since late February 2023.
- Hezbollah Brigades announced a five-day suspension of attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
- The suspension is conditional on several factors, including Israel halting bombings in Beirut.
- If conditions are not met, the group will resume and intensify attacks.
- The U.S. Embassy has faced frequent drone and rocket attacks since February 28, 2023.
- The Iraqi government and security forces are urged to protect foreign diplomatic missions.