Hamas condemns killing of 'Iraqi Resistance' leaders in US attack in Baghdad

By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Palestinian movement Hamas condemned late Wednesday the killing of leaders in the Iraqi Islamic Resistance in a US drone attack that targeted the capital Baghdad.

"The attack is a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security, serving the agenda of Israeli occupation and its expansionist projects," Hamas said in a statement.

The movement held "the US responsible for escalating tensions in the region by providing support for the genocidal war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," the statement added.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that it conducted an airstrike in Iraq, killing a senior leader of the Kata’ib Hezbollah resistance group.

"At 9:30 p.m. February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region," CENTCOM said on X.

The attack killed two leaders of the Iraqi resistance: Arkan Al-Alaywi and Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, according to local media.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of militants that includes the Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah, have been carrying out drone and missile attacks on US forces in the region for months amid Israel's ongoing war against the besieged Gaza Strip.

Last month, a suicide drone attack killed three American troops at Tower 22, a remote military installation in Jordan near the Syrian and Iraqi borders. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq subsequently claimed responsibility.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio