Iraqi Analyst: US Attack on Iraq Aims to Avenge Massive Imam Khamenei Funeral

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, an Iraqi analyst and head of the Horizon Center for Studies, Friday Al-Attwani, emphasized in remarks to Al Mayadeen Network that a portion of the escalating U.S. pressures stems from Iraq’s stance and its solidarity with Iran, especially after the massive and magnificent funeral procession for the martyred leader of Iran, Imam Khamenei, in Karbala and Najaf. This event, unprecedented in history, signifies Iraq’s identity as a member of the resistance front.

Al-Attwani described the early Wednesday strike on Iraq as a ‘direct revenge and reprisal’ for this funeral ceremony. Addressing accusations against the Iraqi resistance, he explained that the Islamic resistance factions possess sufficient courage to announce their operations and have previously claimed responsibility for actions against U.S. bases in Iraq and deep within the Israeli entity.

He strongly denied any missile or drone launches toward Saudi Arabia, stating that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are an official body under the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, legally separate from resistance groups in administrative, military, and logistical terms.

Al-Attwani identified the objective of the strike as weakening the capabilities of the PMF, which poses a significant challenge to the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. He further revealed reports indicating that a truck carrying weapons, purportedly seized by Syrians and destined for Hezbollah, was part of a scenario fabricated by the Syrian and Saudi regimes through an intermediary within Syria to create a pretext for targeting Hezbollah.

Al-Attwani deemed it unlikely for the government of Al-Sudani to issue a statement condemning the Saudi aggression, adding that the government is unable to condemn such an act given Al-Sudani’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia.