US calls on Iraq factions to surrender weapons

Following the Hezbollah Brigade’s announcement that it would suspend attacks on US forces in the country, Washington has called on Iraqi factions to surrender their weapons to the government in Baghdad.

The US Department of State on Wednesday October 14, 2020, said that “America urged all armed parties in Iraq to act responsibly and surrender their weapons to the government.”

It added that “The actions of Iraqi militias jeopardises the government’s attempts to attract international investment.”

The department explained that the United States and its partners are focusing on helping Iraq face the ongoing economic crisis, security instability and the coronavirus pandemic.

Following successive missile attacks on the Green Zone, seat of US embassy’s headquarters, and military bases accommodating US and International Coalition troops, the US last month threatened to close its embassy, which many Iraqi observers considered as a prelude to launching air strikes on the factions.