US admits to not informing Iraq about airstrikes — RT World News
A White House spokesman said he “deeply regrets” providing false information to reporters
The US government admitted it did not notify officials in Baghdad about air strikes on Iraqi territory last Friday, despite initially claiming they had been warned in advance. A US spokesman insisted there was no such thing “Intention to deceive” Attributing the incident to a simple error.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby corrected an earlier statement on the matter. “Advance notification to Iraqi officials” Before last week's air strike that targeted more than 85 sites in both Iraq and neighboring Syria.
“I sincerely apologize for the error, and I regret any confusion this may have caused. This was based on information we had or was provided to me in those first hours after the strikes. This information turned out to be incorrect.” Kirby said adding “I hope you understand that there was no ill intent behind this, and no deliberate intent to deceive or make a mistake.”
Although he had previously said that the bombings had been clearly communicated to Baghdad well in advance, Kirby was forced to retract that claim after a clarification by State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel, who asserted that Iraqi leaders were not even informed. “Immediately after the strikes occurred.”
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, the strikes included “many planes” Which dropped more than 125 precision-guided munitions on dozens of targets. US Central Command added that among the sites that were bombed were command and control facilities, intelligence centers, weapons caches, and supply chain facilities operated by Iranian-backed militias.
The operation was launched in response to a series of attacks on US bases across the region, specifically a drone strike on January 28 that killed three US soldiers and wounded more than 40 others at a base in Jordan, near the Syrian and Iraqi borders.
Baghdad repeatedly denounced the recent US strikes on Iraqi territory, saying that last week's operations pushed the region into the abyss. “the edge of the abyss.” Government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi also denied that his country was coordinating with Washington, accusing American officials of involvement in the matter. “A false allegation aimed at misleading international public opinion and evading legal responsibility.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani also personally criticized the US air strikes, saying they endanger his country's sovereignty and threaten regional stability. After a previous round of strikes in late January, the leader said the United States was “Undermining agreements and various sectors of joint security cooperation.” Also stressing the necessity “Reshaping the future relationship” With Washington.
You can share this story on social media:
Source link
