The U.S embassy in Baghdad has declared a security alert that is very critical and advises all American nationals to leave Iraq at all cost. This is an emergency order as a result of a sharp rise in targeted attacks organized by Iran-supported militias working on the territory of the country. These aggressive groups are going on the offensive, according to the official diplomatic sources, against American citizens and the American personnel, as well as the American-related facilities all over the region.
This has led to the worsening of the security situation to an extent where normal diplomatic activities and safety of civilians are grossly affected. Since the threat level is so high it has been highly advisable that Americans stay out of the main embassy compound in the capital and the U.S Consulate General in Erbil. The warning particularly refers to the unpredictable dangers of rockets and armed drones that are already active in the Iraqi airspace.
To the American citizens who may be living in the region or who may be traveling to the region are encouraged to hasten commercial travel plans to leave the region. The growing violence highlights that the security environment is volatile and that there is no assurance of the safety of civilians. Authorities caution that the commercial flights may fail suddenly should the airspace be officially shut down by long lasting hostilities.
Retaliatory Violence Following Deadly Airstrikes
The recent upsurge of militia violence is a direct result of the following series of deadly airstrikes carried out earlier this week. Such military activities led to the killing of many fighters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The PMF is a giant umbrella group of a number of pro-Iranian militia groups. Even though their actions are characterized by a high degree of autonomy, such groups are technically included in the larger security system under the control of the Government of Iraq.
Since the recent bombardments, the leadership in the PMF has been on the offensive to accuse the United States, specifically blaming American forces of the fatal attacks. Although the U.S. Department of Defense is busy keeping a check on and countering the threats that are posed in the region to defend its service personnel, the spill over has led to instant retaliation against these mighty Iraqi groups. This violent demonstration has greatly increased the physical risk to any American assets or diplomatic officials who are presently in the country.
The Complex History of the Popular Mobilization Forces
The Popular Mobilization Forces were initially an alliance of mostly Shiite, pro-Iran paramilitary forces, which were established over ten years ago. Their first aim was to wage war in collaboration with the Iraqi state forces against the Islamic state terror group that had captured vast areas of land. The PMF has since continued to have significant military and political presence in Iraq.
Among the PMF members are some of the best-established groups of anti-American violence. It is worth mentioning that coalition has Kataeb Hezbollah that is a well structured militant group. U.S. Department of State has formally declared Kataeb Hezbollah a foreign terrorist organization because of its repeated participation in deadly attacks on U.S and coalition troops. The constant confrontations of these militia with American interests are still driving the region to a dangerous edge.
