US military on alert in Iraq due to "threat from Iranian-backed forces"
A CENTCOM spokesman said that US troops in Iraq are on full alert due to the “threat from Iranian-backed forces.” Earlier, the deputy commander of counter-ISIS operations had reported that the “threat” from these forces in Iraq and Syria had not increased.
US military forces in Iraq have stepped up their security warnings due to what they say is a threat to American troops by Iranian-backed forces.
Bill Urban, spokesman for the US Central Command in the Middle East and Central Asia (CENTCOM), said on Tuesday, May 14, that US military units in Iraq are on "full alert."
According to Reuters, the US military official also announced that US and allied intelligence agencies had obtained information indicating "serious threats."
The CENTCOM spokesperson stressed that US military forces are at the highest level of alert and readiness, adding that the United States is monitoring these "serious threats."
In his remarks, this senior American military official effectively rejected the statements of British General and Deputy Commander of Counter-ISIS Operations, Chris Gica.
Chris Gica said yesterday that “we have not seen an increase in threats from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.” However, a short time later, in response to questions from reporters, General Gica refused to confirm his statements.
Organizations such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, an ally of the Syrian army, and the so-called Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi), are among the forces supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic have risen sharply in recent days, especially after “sabotage” attacks on four ships in the UAE port of Fujairah. Saudi Arabia said that two of the oil tankers damaged in the explosions belonged to the country.
It was after these explosions that the New York Times reported that the US government was considering sending 120,000 troops to the region to counter possible attacks by forces affiliated with the Islamic Republic.
US President Donald Trump, of course, denied the American newspaper's report as "fake news", but at the same time emphasized that he would send "even more" military forces to the region if necessary.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Islamic Republic has said that there will be no war between Iran and the United States. Ali Khamenei, while pointing out that neither Iran nor the United States is seeking war, has called negotiations with the Trump administration "double poison."
Source: DW
