ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi lawmakers linked to pro-Iran armed groups chanted “death to America” and praised the “Axis of Resistance” during a parliamentary session Saturday night, with attacks targeting the US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone, escalating tensions as the regional conflict widens.
The Iraqi Parliament convened Saturday night to review the situation in Iraq and the latest developments in the region as the conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, which began last week, continues. The meeting took place in the presence of high-ranking military and security commanders.
Lawmakers close to Iraq’s armed groups used the opportunity to voice threats against the United States and Israel and praise Iraqi armed groups that in the past week have carried out drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region and other targets in Iraq. On the same night, an attack was carried out on the American embassy in the Green Zone of Baghdad, causing a stir in in the government.
Praising the Axis of Resistance forces in the Iraqi Parliament
The Iraqi Parliament presidency announced that the session effectively began around 9:30 pm.
“During the session, several military commanders were present, including the Iraqi Chief of Staff. The ongoing conflict was discussed, along with Iraq’s systems and capabilities in confronting it,” Danar Abdulghafar, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) parliamentary bloc in Iraq, told Rudaw on Sunday.
The current conflict, Iraq’s defense systems, and capabilities were discussed, with emphasis on protecting Iraq during the conflict.
Soon after, parliamentarians close to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) began voicing threats against the United States and Israel in the parliamentary hall and praised forces identifying themselves as part of the Axis of Resistance.
The Axis of Resistance is an informal, Iran-led military and political coalition focused on countering Western and Israeli influence in the region. It includes Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, some components of the PMF, the Palestinian Hamas, and Islamic Jihad.
KDP lawmaker Sherwan Dubardani told Rudaw on Sunday that around 220 parliamentarians attended the session. When the threats and slogans were raised, Sunni, Kurdish, and some Shiite parliamentarians remained silent.
Mohammed Abu Eis, a member of the Shiite al-Sadiqoun bloc affiliated with the US terrorist-designated Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), shouted: “Death to the mercenaries… Death to America… Death to Israel. Long live the Resistance.”
The Sadiqun bloc called on the Iraqi government to take an official position through parliamentary channels.
The bloc holds 27 seats, with deputy parliament speaker Adnan Faihan al-Dulaimi, being among them.
Uday Awad of the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc said in parliament: “We strongly condemn these attacks and threats, which target both the Americans and the Zionists. We support the Iranian people and praise their unity, gathering under new leadership to become a strong barrier against aggressors.”
“An official, strong stance must be taken against these attacks and threats, and humanitarian corridors to Iran should be facilitated,” he said while addressing the Iraqi government and parliament.
Muthanna Amin, head of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, told Rudaw Sunday that “it is clear that those issuing threats were from the PMF.”
A conflict also occurred between lawmakers close to the PMF and those from outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC) inside the Iraqi Parliament. This included a staunch supporter of the PMF, Mustafa Sanad from the Abshir Ya Iraq bloc, and Baha al-Araji from the RDC.
Sanad reportedly criticized Sudani, stating that he did not have a clear position regarding the current regional situation. Following a verbal altercation, Araji slapped Sanad.
Haibat Halbousi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, decided to bar Sanad from participating in parliamentary sessions until he issues an apology to the Parliament presidency and RDC bloc head Araji.
Former US ambassador to Iraqi lawmakers
Former US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, reacting to a video of Iraqi lawmakers chanting death to the United States, said: “Where would they be without 2003 US overthrow of Saddam.”
Attack on the US embassy in Baghdad
On Saturday night, an attack was carried out on the American embassy in Iraq. A security source told AFP that four rockets targeted the US embassy, three of which were intercepted by the embassy’s anti-missile system, while the fourth landed in an area near the embassy.
Sudani ordered security agencies to arrest those responsible for the attack. Iraqi government spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said in a statement that Sudani had instructed all military and security commanders in their areas of responsibility to “identify the perpetrators of this terrorist act, who targeted the US embassy with missiles, and hand them over to the courts.”
According to the statement, Sudani emphasized that while diplomacy and embassies in Iraq must be respected, such attacks are unacceptable under any circumstances, noting that these actions endanger national security and stability.
The attack occurred as drones have repeatedly struck the Kurdistan Region in recent days. Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility, saying they were targeting US positions.
The attacks have largely been concentrated around Erbil International Airport and the US consulate. However, civilian and economic infrastructure have also been hit. A Saturday attack in Erbil killed a Kurdish security employee.