Tensions escalate in the Middle East following a US drone strike in Iraq that killed an Iran-backed militia commander in Iraq, sparking condemnation from Iraqi authorities and raising concerns about the future of the US-led coalition in the region, Mail Online News reported.
US Faces Pressure Over Drone Strike in Iraq as Tensions Escalate in Middle East (Photo from NPR)
Fallout from Drone Strike in Iraq
The US drone strike targeted Wissam Mohammed ‘Abu Bakr’ al-Saadi, a commander of Kataib Hezbollah in Baghdad, igniting fury among Iraqi officials and citizens. The strike, allegedly in retaliation for attacks on US troops, is labeled a “blatant assassination” by Iraqi authorities.
Iraqi officials, including spokesman Yehia Rasool, denounce the strike as a breach of international law and call for the termination of the US-led coalition’s mission in the country. Crowds in Baghdad express outrage, chanting anti-American slogans amid fears of escalating conflict.
The US drone strike in Iraq prompts calls for retaliation from pro-Iran groups in Iraq, raising concerns about further destabilization in the region. With thousands of US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria to combat ISIS, the incident underscores the fragility of the geopolitical landscape and the potential for renewed violence.
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Israeli Offensive in Gaza
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes target the southern Gazan city of Rafah as tensions mount between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a peace deal offered by Hamas, vowing to intensify military action against the group.
Israeli officials cite the need to dismantle Hamas’s weapons infrastructure, risking exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Egypt warns of repercussions if Palestinians attempt to flee across the border amid ongoing peace negotiations.
