Islamic Resistance in Iraq calls on ‘brothers in jihad’ to help expel US troops

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror groups, has called on “our brothers in jihad to join the ranks of the resistance” and help drive out US troops from the Arab country.

The call made in a statement issued Friday came after the US military admitted responsibility for a drone strike in Baghdad Wednesday night, which killed three people, including senior Kata’ib Hezbollah commander Abu Baqer al-Saadi. 

The statement touched on the “opportunity” which it said the group had granted to “the occupation forces to leave the land of the sanctities”, suggesting that the chance had been withdrawn after the assassination. 

“The opportunity of the past days has certainly revealed to the Iraqi people, friends, and responsible entities that the occupying enemy does not leave its villainy and treachery, nor does it understand any language other than the language of arms.

“This was clearly demonstrated in its recent targeting of the fighters of the Popular Mobilization Forces … and its crimes were further increased by the assassination of the great leader Abu Baqir al-Saadi in Baghdad, thereby violating all rules of engagement,” it said.

“We call on our brothers in jihad to join the ranks of the resistance … (and) participate actively in expelling the occupation at this historic stage for Iraq and the region,” the group added.

Saadi, commander in charge of Kata’ib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria, was assassinated on Wednesday night after a US drone strike hit a moving vehicle east of the Iraqi capital. Two other Kata’ib Hezbollah officials also lost their lives in the attack.