Iraqi armed groups declare end to truce, vow retaliation against US forces

Shiite armed factions aligned with the "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" have formally declared an end to their ceasefire with US forces stationed in the Middle East, signalling a significant escalation in tensions.

This development was confirmed by Heidar al-Lami, a senior member of the political council of the Iraqi Shiite militia, Al-Nujaba, Caliber.Az reports referring to Russian media.

Al-Lami announced the decision during an interview with the Emirati publication, where he stated, "The resistance factions in Iraq have decided to end the truce, and militia forces will now seize every opportunity to strike US military bases in Iraq." This marks a stark shift in the stance of these factions, who had previously observed a ceasefire with US forces in the region.

The decision to terminate the truce came after a US airstrike on July 30 targeted the Shiite militia Al-Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq's Babil province. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least four members of the group, has fueled calls for retaliation among the militia's ranks.

Al-Lami emphasized that retaliatory actions are imminent, stating, "There will be a retaliatory strike in the coming days, and the targets could extend beyond Iraq to other locations such as Syria and Israel." This suggests that the scope of potential attacks could widen, posing a broader regional threat.

The "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" comprises several Shiite militias, including Al-Nujaba and Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, both of which have a history of conflict with US forces. The end of the truce raises the spectre of renewed violence, as these groups have previously carried out attacks on US military personnel and installations in Iraq.