Iraqi Political parties support Katyusha launchers on the green zone, MP says
Shafaq News / Leader of the National Front for the Salvation of Iraq, Atheel Al-Nujaifi, revealed that influential political parties support the launchers of Katyusha rockets on the Green Zone, Baghdad International Airport and the military bases.
Al-Nujaifi told Shafaq News agency, "anyone who claims that there are no political parties that support the launchers of Katyusha rockets or encourage them is not being sincere".
He indicated that, "When the Iraqi government deals with this issue, it certainly cannot confront these groups by force, and this will lead to other repercussions that may not be taken into account. Revealing the identity of these groups is the first step".
"Such issues must take time to be resolved and cannot be resolved. Time must be given to the government to solve the issue in its own way", Al-Nujaifi added.
Last August and September witnessed tens of attacks that targeted Baghdad International Airport and camps where the forces of the International Coalition were present. Until today, no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Armed Shiite factions, including the Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah Brigades, had threatened to target US forces and interests in Iraq if they did not withdraw in compliance with the Iraqi parliament’s decision to end the military presence in the country.
On January 5, the Iraqi parliament voted by majority to end the foreign military presence on the country's territory, following the killing of the Iranian Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, and the deputy head Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, in an American airstrike near Baghdad International Airport.
US President Donald Trump announced on September 10, 2020, that the United States will reduce the number of its troops in Iraq to two thousand soldiers within a very short period.
The United States currently has about 5,200 troops in Iraq deployed to fight ISIS. Officials from the US-led coalition said the Iraqi armed forces were now largely able to deal on their own with the remnants of the terrorist organization.
