Iraq says US ties at stake after strikes

Baghdad - At least 25 fighters were killed in Sunday night's attacks which saw US planes hit several bases belonging to the Hezbollah Brigades.

Iraq's government warned on Monday that its relations with the United States were at risk after deadly American air strikes against a pro-Iran group sparked anger on the streets with protesters torching US flags.
At least 25 fighters were killed in Sunday night's attacks which saw US planes hit several bases belonging to the Hezbollah Brigades, one of the most radical factions of Hashed Al Shaabi, a Tehran-backed Iraqi paramilitary coalition.
It came at a time when Iraq is caught up in mounting tensions between its allies Tehran and Washington and grappling with huge street protests against corruption but also against Iran's growing political influence in the country. The strikes "killed 25 and wounded 51, including commanders and fighters, and the toll could yet rise", said the Hashed, which holds major sway in Iraq. Victims were still being pulled from the rubble of bases near Al Qaim, an Iraqi district bordering Syria, on Monday, it said.
Iraq's government, acting in a caretaker capacity following the resignation of prime minister Abdel Abdel Mahdi in the face of street protests, denounced the strikes and warned they could affect ties with Washington. "American forces acted on their political priorities, not those of the Iraqis," a statement said, adding that such strikes "violate the sovereignty of Iraq".
The attacks "force Iraq to review its relations and its security, political and legal framework to protect its sovereignty", the government added.
US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker said the strikes were a message to Iran after months of "restraint" by the administration of President Donald Trump. Schenker said the strikes were in retaliation for the death on Friday of a US civilian contractor in Kirkuk in a Hezbollah Brigades rocket attack. "We thought it important to hit a significant target set to send a very clear message to them about how serious we take American lives," Schenker told reporters.

• MENA