At a Glance

• PMF members and pilgrims targeted in Karbala
• Group denies attacks on Saudi facilities
• Government-given deadline over disarmament
• Retaliation against Saudi Arabia threatened

Islamic Resistance in Iraq has accused the United States of targeting members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and a convoy serving pilgrims in Holy Karbala, saying the strikes killed and wounded dozens. The group also denied responsibility for any attacks on Saudi facilities and issued a deadline to government entities seeking the disarmament of resistance factions.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Denial of Saudi attacks: The group said it categorically denies targeting Saudi Arabia or its facilities.
• Accusation against the United States: It accused the United States of carrying out a new attack against Hashd al-Shaabi members and a convoy serving visitors of Imam Hussein.
• Challenge to the government: The group questioned what action the Iraqi government would take if resistance factions surrendered their weapons and missiles.
• Disarmament deadline: It gave government entities demanding the resistance’s disarmament until the 23rd of Safar to demonstrate their ability to protect Iraq.
• Retaliation warning: The group said a response to the United States is “inevitably coming” and could target what it called U.S. “tools” in Saudi Arabia if deemed necessary.

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Group Denies Targeting Saudi Facilities

The Islamic Resistance said it categorically denies any involvement in attacks targeting Saudi Arabia or its facilities.

It questioned the justification for a response resulting in civilian casualties, saying that even if the claim that an attack on Saudi oil facilities originated from Iraq were accepted, an unsuccessful attempt to target an oil field would not justify killing or wounding dozens of people.

Accusations Over Karbala Attack

The group accused the United States of carrying out what it described as a new crime against members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and a convoy serving visitors of Imam Hussein in Holy Karbala.

According to the statement, the attack resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and left others wounded.

The group also accused Saudi Arabia of acting as an instrument of U.S. policy, making historical references to attacks in Iraq and alleging that Riyadh was again being used to carry out U.S. objectives.

Challenge to Iraqi Government

The statement questioned how the Iraqi government would respond if resistance factions surrendered their weapons and missiles to the state.

It asked what firm positions the government would take to defend Iraq’s sovereignty and its territory and whether it would be able to deter future attacks and respond to those responsible for the deaths of the victims.

Deadline Set Over Disarmament

The group said it would give government entities that had called for the disarmament of resistance factions a deadline until the 23rd of Safar (August 6).

It said the period would allow the government to demonstrate what action it would take in response to attacks and whether it could fulfill its responsibility for defending Iraq.

Warning of Possible Retaliation

The group said its priority was to protect pilgrims visiting the shrine of Abu Abdillah al-Hussein and the service convoys, known as Mowakeb, during the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

It said it would refrain from disrupting the pilgrimage before its ceremonies are completed but warned that a response to the United States was “inevitably coming.”

The group added that such a response could reach what it called U.S. tools in Saudi Arabia whenever it considered such action necessary.

The statement concluded by expressing condolences for those it described as righteous martyrs and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.

FYI

The statement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iraqi armed factions, the United States and Saudi Arabia, with disputes over attacks attributed to Iraqi territory and renewed calls for armed groups to place their weapons under state control. The Arbaeen pilgrimage has also increased the sensitivity surrounding security in and around Holy Karbala.