Iraq Coalition Says Israeli Strikes Are 'Declaration of War'

Voice of America
26 Aug 2019, 22:05 GMT+10

BAGHDAD - A powerful bloc in Iraq's parliament is calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq following a series of airstrikes blamed on Israel targeting Iran-backed Shiite militias in the country.

The Fatah Coalition said on Monday it holds the United States fully responsible for this Israeli aggression, "which we consider to be a declaration of war on Iraq and its people."

The coalition is a parliament bloc representing Iran-backed paramilitary militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The coalition's statement came shortly after a drone strike in the western Iraqi town of al-Qaim killed a commander with the forces, the latest in strikes apparently conducted by Israel against the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

The statement adds that U.S. troops are no longer needed in Iraq.

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