Illustrative image. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
On February 26, a convoy carrying logistic supplies for the United States-led coalition came under attack in the southern Iraqi province of al-Qadisiyyah.
The convoy was reportedly targeted with an improvised explosive device as it was moving on a highway leading to the city of al-Diwaniyah. Material losses were reported. However, there were no casualties.
The attack was claimed by the so-called International Resistance, one of several shadowy pro-Iranian groups 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 groups is to expel American troops from the country.
In a brief statement, the group called on Iraqi security forces to stay away from the supply convoys of the U.S.-led coalition.
“We renew our call to our brothers in the security forces to stay away as much as possible from the convoys of the American enemy, our battle with the occupation will end only with their departure from our land, the land of the holy ones,” the statement reads.
This was the second such attack in less than a week. On February 23, a U.S. supply convoy was targeted near the town of Tarmiyah, which is located some 50 kilometers to the north of Bahadad. The attack was also carried out by the International Resistance.
Repeated attacks on coalition supply convoys are meant to mount some pressure on the U.S., without provoking a military confrontation in Iraq.
