{"id":12909,"date":"2021-07-09T10:37:31","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T10:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/07\/09\/as-us-forces-in-iraq-and-syria-face-increasing-attacks-fissures-form-between-iran-and-militias-it-backs\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:20:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:20:23","slug":"as-us-forces-in-iraq-and-syria-face-increasing-attacks-fissures-form-between-iran-and-militias-it-backs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/07\/09\/as-us-forces-in-iraq-and-syria-face-increasing-attacks-fissures-form-between-iran-and-militias-it-backs\/","title":{"rendered":"As US forces in Iraq and Syria face increasing attacks, fissures form between Iran and militias it backs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAGHDAD (AP) \u2014 Rockets landed in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, which houses the U.S. Embassy, causing material damage early Thursday, Iraqi security forces said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two Katuysha rockets fell near the national security building, and in an open courtyard inside the Green Zone. A third rocket fell in a nearby residential area, damaging a civilian vehicle, the statement by the Iraqi security media cell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attack which came shortly before daybreak followed two separate attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in western Iraq and across the border in Syria,<\/a> where U.S-led coalition forces are based. The drone attack Wednesday in eastern Syria was foiled while 14 rockets landed in Al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq, lightly wounding two personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attacks come as tension is on the rise between U.S. troops and Iran-backed fighters<\/a> as Baghdad and Washington negotiate a timeline for foreign troop withdrawal from Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militias for attacks \u2014 most of them rocket strikes \u2014 that have targeted the American presence in Baghdad and military bases across Iraq. More recently, the attacks have become more sophisticated, with militants using drones<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late last month, U.S. warplanes hit facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups which the Pentagon said support drone strikes inside Iraq. Four Iraqi fighters were killed in the June 27 airstrikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Dec. 29, 2019, aerial file photo taken from a helicopter shows Ain al-Asad air base in the western Anbar desert, Iraq. (Nasser Nasser\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Changing landscape<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s expeditionary Quds Force commander brought one main directive for Iraqi militia faction leaders long beholden to Tehran, when he gathered with them in Baghdad last month: Maintain calm, until after nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he was met with defiance. One of the six faction leaders spoke up in their meeting: They could not stay quiet while the death of his predecessor Qassim Soleimani and senior Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a U.S. drone strike went unavenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Militia attacks have only been increasing against the U.S. in military bases in both Iraq and Syria. Three missile attacks in the last week alone resulted in minor injuries, stoking fears of escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The details from Esmail Ghaani\u2019s visit, confirmed to The Associated Press by three Shiite political officials and two senior militia officials, demonstrate how Iranian-aligned Iraqi militia groups are asserting a degree of independence, sometimes even flouting orders from Tehran. Iran now relies on Lebanon\u2019s Hezbollah for support in reining them in, and there is potential that Iran\u2019s new president could play a role in doing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s influence, sustained by ideological ties and military support, has frayed because of the U.S. killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis last year, because of differing interests and because of financial strains in Tehran. With nuclear talks restarting following U.S. President Joe Biden\u2019s inauguration this year, these differences have come to the fore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIran isn\u2019t the way it used to be, with 100% control over the militia commanders,\u201d said one Shiite political leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing rocket and drone attacks targeting American troops in Iraq and Syria have alarmed Western and coalition officials. There have been at least eight drone attacks targeting the U.S. presence since Biden took office in January, as well as 17 rocket attacks, according to coalition officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attacks are blamed on the Iranian-backed militias that make up the bulk of Iraq\u2019s state-supported Popular Mobilization Forces. The Biden administration has responded by twice targeting Iraqi militia groups operating inside Syria, including close to the Iraqi border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is taking place now is when Ghaani asks for calm, the brigade leaders agree with him. But as soon as he leaves the meeting, they disregard his recommendations,\u201d said another Shiite political leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The loudest of the defiant militia voices has been Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq faction, which also maintains a political party. On June 17, only days after Ghaani\u2019s meetings with the militias, he said in a televised address that they would continue to target the U.S. \u201coccupier\u201d and that they will not take into consideration nuclear talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that decision is an Iraqi one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coalition has formally ended combat operations and reduced troop levels significantly in the last year. Only 2,500 U.S. troops remain in Iraq and discussions are ongoing with NATO to transfer to an advisory mission. Iraq still needs coalition support in surveillance and intelligence gathering and airstrikes against Islamic State group targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some argue the ongoing attacks benefit Iran by maintaining pressure on the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\t