CONFLICT
Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah suspends attacks on U.S. forces
January 31, 2024 - The Iran-aligned Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has announced the suspension of hostile operations against U.S. troops as Washington ponders its response to a deadly drone attack that killed three of its soldiers.
Kataib Hezbollah is the most powerful faction in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the umbrella group of Shia armed groups that have claimed over 170 attacks on U.S. forces since the Gaza war began.
Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi said in a statement on Tuesday: “As we announce the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces – in order to prevent embarrassment of the Iraqi government – we will continue to defend our people in Gaza in other ways.”
Three U.S. troops were killed in a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border on Jan 28 that the Pentagon said bore the “footprints” of Kataib Hezbollah.
The U.S. has vowed to respond to the attack.