A US military operation expected in Syria

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit al Abbasi revealed that he received an official call from his US counterpart, Pete Hagsett, informing him of anticipated military operations in the region, specifically within Syrian territory, and warning against the involvement of Iraqi armed militias in those operations.

Abbasi didn’t provide further details about the nature of the operations, but confirmed that the warning was clear and explicit.

In an interview with local Iraqi TV, Abbasi explained that the call took place about ten days ago and lasted about 12 minutes, with the participation of a number of senior Iraqi military leaders, including the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, and the Director of Military Intelligence.

The Iraqi defense minister noted that the US side didn’t disclose details of the operation, and merely indicated that US forces were carrying out operations inside Syria, while stressing the need for armed factions supported by Iran not to interfere.

The call between the two ministers also touched on military cooperation files between the two countries, including a draft joint security and intelligence memorandum, in addition to a deal to supply Iraq with Bell helicopters, and cooperation in the field of drones.

Abbasi concluded his remarks by noting that his US counterpart ended the call with a direct warning: “This is your final notification… and you know very well how the current administration will respond”.

In a related development, the US Treasury Department imposed a new round of sanctions on October 9 targeting Iraqi banking figures and companies linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Kataib Hezbollah, including al Muhandis Company, the economic arm of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Washington explained that this move aims to dismantle corruption and money laundering networks that enable armed groups to operate inside and outside Iraq.

For his part, Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, issued his first official statement since taking office, in which he affirmed that the United States won’t accept the presence of armed groups outside the framework of the state, stressing Washington’s support for the Iraqi government’s efforts to control weapons and strengthen national sovereignty.

Savaya noted that Iraq has begun to regain its status as a sovereign state, taking steps to reduce foreign interference and opening its doors to international companies to contribute to rebuilding its infrastructure.

However, he stressed that there is still a long way to go and that Iraq needs continued support to continue on this path.

The US envoy stressed that stability in Iraq requires unified security forces under the leadership of the legitimate government, and that the interests of the Iraqi people and the region depend on an Iraq free from foreign interference, including Iranian interference.

In closing his statement, Savaya described Iraq as an important strategic partner of the United States, pledging to work to strengthen bilateral relations and reiterating the US administration’s slogan: “Make Iraq Great Again”.