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On February 19, a convoy moving logistic supplies for the United States-led coalition came under attack in the northern Iraqi province of Saladin.
The convoy was targeted with an improvised explosive device as it was passing near the town of Balad. No casualties were reported as a result of the attack.
An armed faction calling itself the Islamic Resistance – al-Muhandis Revenge Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack. The faction is one of several pro-Iranian armed factions that emerged in Iraq after the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy-Commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, and Commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Qassim Soleimani, by the U.S. more than three years ago. The main goal of these factions is to expel U.S. forces from Iraq.
This was the fourth attack on a U.S. supply convoy in Iraq this year. On January 12, a supply convoy of the coalition was attacked in the Taji district to the north of the capital, Baghdad. Later on January 19, a convoy carrying two American Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) systems came under attack near al-Yusufiyah district. On February 6, another supply convoy was targeted in the southern province of al-Muthanna.
The previous attacks were all carried out by the International Resistance, another shadowy pro-Iranian armed faction that operates in Iraq.
Pro-Iranian factions in Iraq attacked hundreds of U.S. supply convoys over the past three years in an attempt to pressure Washington into withdrawing its troops from the country. The recent attacks confirm that these factions are still determined to achieve their goal.
