US Moves to Expel Kataib Hezbollah From Iraqi Government After Embassy Attacks
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Embassy Baghdad warns citizens to leave Iraq within 24-48 hours amid imminent militia attacks.
- Iran-aligned militias, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, have attacked or threatened U.S. targets in Baghdad.
- A strike reportedly targeted Kata'ib Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi.
US Pushes Iraq to Cut Ties
The United States has officially demanded that Iraq disarm and disband Iran-aligned militias.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced the US had placed six Iraqi armed groups on a prohibited list.
The move comes amid escalating attacks from Iran-backed militias that have killed more than 40 American service members.
Militias Escalate Attacks Across Iraq
Iran-aligned militias continued attacks, firing on airports in Baghdad and Erbil.
Israeli strikes killed senior PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
The Pentagon briefing to Congress expanded casualty figures to 49 US service members killed.
Kittleson Kidnapping Spurs Diplomatic Fallout
Kittleson was abducted by Kataib Hezbollah, sparking international condemnation.
The Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government condemned the kidnapping as a flagrant attack on press freedom.
The incident appears to be driving the US push for political action against militias.
US Strikes Target Iranian Kurdish Groups
The US-Israeli strikes expanded into northern Iraq against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.
The Koya attack targeting the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan was widely reported.
This development signals how the war is spreading across multiple fronts within Iraq.
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