Part 5/11:
Complicating matters, Iraq's internal security apparatus is heavily intertwined with Iran-backed militias, which act with a degree of plausible deniability—a tactic that has historically shielded militias from accountability. These groups, energized by Iran, continue to operate with immunity and influence within Iraq, complicating US and Iraqi efforts to counter them.
Jafar Al Husseini, spokesman for Katai Hezbollah, vowed to continue attacking US targets, framing their operations as support for Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflicts. This rhetoric underscores the broader regional proxy dynamics fueled by Iranian influence and seeks to legitimize continued militancy.