Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The latest escalation between US forces and Iran-backed Shiite militias over the past three days in Iraq has put the government in a difficult position, security officials said on Thursday.
The officials, who spoke to The National on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, warned that the confrontation could escalate further, putting Iraqi security forces at risk.
US forces in Iraq and Syria have faced a surge in rocket and drone attacks by militia groups due to Washington's support of Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, after Hamas operatives killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in cross-border raids in Israel on October 7.
"These attacks are really embarrassing us," an Interior Ministry Intelligence officer said.
"At the same time, the government can't do anything to stop them as the key to these groups is not in Baghdad, but Tehran."
These attacks have hit Ain Al Asad in western Iraq, a military base near Baghdad's international airport, and Harir airport in the northern city of Erbil, as well as bases inside Syria.
As of Tuesday, US troops have been attacked 68 times since October 17, with 33 in Iraq and the rest in Syria, a defence official confirmed to The National on Wednesday.
At least 62 US personnel have suffered minor injuries or traumatic brain injuries in the attacks, according to the Pentagon.
Iraqi militia groups have vowed to increase their attacks.
Late on Monday, US forces were attacked at Ain Al Asad and a US military AC-130 plane responded a few hours later, killing one Iran-backed militant linked to Kataib Hezbollah.
The following day, the US struck the operations centre of the same group in Jurf Al Sakhar, south of Baghdad, killing eight militants and wounding five.
"Since October 17, the government has been trying to convince these groups that their acts are harming Iraq and its relations with other countries, mainly the US, to no avail," another government official said.
A four-day temporary truce between Israel and Hamas was expected to come into force on Thursday to allow Israeli hostages to be swapped with Palestinian prisoners, and to deliver more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The deal has been beset by delays, however.
"There are indications that Iran informed all factions in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen to stop operations when the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement begins," the official said.
"We hope we can start from that point to stop these useless attacks."
The Iraqi government on Wednesday condemned the US strikes as a “dangerous escalation and a breach of Iraqi sovereignty”.
It said the strikes were a "clear overstepping” of the task of the US-led International Coalition, which is supporting Iraqi forces with training and advice.
But it also contained a hidden message to the militias, warning that the government “is the only party that is constitutionally responsible for drawing and implementing policies and maintaining security and stability".
"Any armed actions outside the military institution are deemed illegal and a threat to the national interests,” it warned.
A few hours after holding a funeral for the killed militants in Baghdad, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of Tehran-allied militias, said they fired three explosive-laden drones at Harir base in separate attacks.
On Wednesday night, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met the US ambassador to Baghdad, Alina L. Romanowski, emphasising the government's stance.
After the meeting, Ms Romanowski said they discussed "the latest regional developments and Iraqi government's commitment to protecting US presence in Iraq".
"We share common points of view on preventing the expansion of conflict and on delivering humanitarian aid to civilians to Gaza," she added.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
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8.15pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Scores
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups