At a Glance

• Iraq's Islamic Resistance postponed a planned retaliatory strike following a formal appeal from senior Shia leader Hadi al-Ameri.
• The umbrella group emphasized the action is a postponement, warning that "the blood of the martyrs will never be a commodity to be traded."
• Joint US-Saudi strikes last week reportedly targeted PMF headquarters, resulting in numerous casualties.
• Iraqi military spokespersons noted that Saudi Arabia has "not yet provided evidence or proof" supporting allegations of attacks originating from Iraq.

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In a statement, Iraq's Islamic Resistance announced that it has deferred a planned retaliatory operation originally scheduled for Friday, responding directly to a request from senior Shia leader Hadi al-Ameri.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Postponement vs. Cancellation: The umbrella group clarified that the delay does not alter its core resolve, stating that "the blood of the martyrs will never be a commodity to be traded in the marketplace of political calculations."
• Warnings to Washington: The faction cautioned that "the American enemy and its allies must know that sovereignty is not restored through weak and cautious statements, but revived by the fists of the loyal."
• Critique of Political Figures: The statement urged domestic leaders "whose positions and power have distracted them from defending the blood of the martyrs and the country's violated sovereignty" to reconsider their stances.

The announcement follows a public video message from Hadi al-Ameri, head of the Badr Organization, who appealed to the resistance to "postpone any response to the American-Saudi attack that targeted Iraq, and to endure these wounds patiently, for the sake of Iraq's higher interest." Ameri added that "the rights of the martyrs and wounded will be pursued through diplomatic means."

The tensions stem from joint US-Saudi strikes last week against official headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) across Baghdad and five other provinces, which left at least 20 dead and 32 wounded. Saudi Arabia asserted the raids were retaliation for attacks on its oil facilities allegedly launched from Iraqi territory. Addressing these claims on Friday, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, stated that Riyadh had "not yet provided evidence or proof of its claims regarding the exposure of its lands to bombing."

FYI

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), officially integrated into Iraq's state security apparatus, evolved from groups formed to combat extremist organizations following the 2003 US-led invasion. The faction's integration into national defense structures alongside ongoing regional realignments frequently places Baghdad at the center of delicate diplomatic and security balancing acts involving both Western and regional powers.