Apparently, after having launched 150 attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria during the past few months, and one attack on our servicemen at Tower 22 in northeast Jordan, Kataib Hezbollah is suddenly scared out of its wits, and wants Washington to know that it will no longer — honest, cross our hearts and hope to die — target any Americans. More on this sudden volte-face can be found here: “Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah says it suspends attacks on US forces,” by Timour Azhari, Reuters, January 30, 2024:
Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of all its military operations against US troops in the region in a decision aimed at preventing “embarrassment” to the Iraqi government, the group said in a statement.
No, the decision is not aimed at preventing “embarrassment” to the Iraqi government. It’s aimed, rather, at saving the lives of Kataib Hezbollah members, and of avoiding destruction on a scale they would really prefer to avoid. And were such an American attack to take place, as the talk in Washington brought home to Kataib Hezbollah that this time the American mood was “no-more-water-the-fire-next-time,” with Lindsey Graham and Mike McCaul and a host of other Republicans urging the Administration to “hit Iran. Hit it hard.” The credit for this unexpected decision by Kataib Hezbollah goes to the Republican rhetoric in the Senate, urging retaliation on Iran itself. The Iranians may even have prompted Kataib Hezbollah to announce its new policy.
The decision follows the killing of three US troops in a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border – an attack that the Pentagon said bore the “footprints” of Kataib Hezbollah, though a final assessment had not yet been made.
Founded in the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah is one of the elite Iraqi armed factions closest to Iran….
That pitiful attempt by Kataib Hezbollah to now ‘scape whipping — after it and its fellows in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have launched 150 attacks on American targets in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan — by promising that it has “suspended” attacks on American targets, has not even been acknowledged by Washington. That promise has come a day late and a dollar short. The Americans are fed up, and are not going to be hornswoggled by the likes of Kataib Hezbollah to refrain from retaliation.
Within the next week or two, we can expect drone attacks, or bombs-away airstrikes, not just on Kataib Hezbollah, but also on Iranian bases in Syria and Iraq. After the murder of those three servicemen at Tower 22 in Jordan, the gloves are off. And if those retaliatory attacks lead some group other than Kataib Hezbollah to attack Americans anywhere in the Middle East, Washington will simply double, treble, quadruple the dose, until the enemy understands, and quiet reigns.
Condor says
No 72 virgins for them!
David Fahey says
It is time for the US to “cry havoc, and unleash the dogs of war” against any group that attacks Americans or American interests anywhere in the world. Evil understands and responds to only one thing – brutal naked force.
Jeffrey Fixler says
You’re right of course. The problem is the Biden Administration is not capable of “crying havoc” , but only continuing their disastrous policy of appeasement and de-escalation.
From The Other Side of Town says
And monetary support too, JF, let’s not forget to add that to the Biden contributions to worldwide terrorism.
Jeffrey Fixler says
You’re right of course. The problem is the Biden Administration is not capable of “crying havoc” , but only continuing their disastrous policy of appeasement and de-escalation.
martin walden says
Surest way to escalate is to NOT fight back and best way is to double down and take no prisoners.
Yogi Bear says
The US should attack them anyway. Give them hell, just like the Israelis did to Hamas.
John Ceglarski says
Time to clean their clocks. Sink there attack skiffs and basically wipe Hudaydah off the map.
GE says
Anybody else at JW think it could be just another dose of taquiya?
somehistory says
Only those, GE, who question everything mozlums say….unless they are threatening to follow their book of evil, filthy commands to rape and murder.
The lie at every turn in the road and on the straightaway.
Kepha says
I am certain it’s Taqiyya. After all those years of drum-beating, chanting the name of Moqtada al-Sadr, frothing at the mouth about “Zionists” running the USA, and proud, chest-thumping marches, I’m sure they’re only trying to bide their time. Further, it may be the case that they know that the US knows how to find their leaders.
Still, rather than burning millions to drop a few bombs on someone’s HQ, we need to rebuild our human intelligence capabilities to the point where we can either seize, as done with the Achile Lauro hijackers, or pay some disgruntled henchman to stick a bullet in his former boss’s pituitary gland. It’s better to terrorize one nasty from thirty feet than a whole city from thirty thousand.
Just pass'n thru says
I won’t hold my breath, it’s only a sternly written letter. Biden won’t do anything especially attack iran.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
So Kataib Hezbollah actually thinks that the Biden administration listens to Republican Senators or Congressmen? Maybe they could have Ilhan or Rashida give them a tutorial on the relations b/w the White House and the GOP in Congress
OLD GUY says
Hell do you suppose that if I robbed banks and killed hostages and then sent a letter to the FBI saying I won’t do it again they would let me off the hook? Well of course not. But if you are a foreign adversary killing and stealing we will negotiate and forgive you of your crimes. COME ON MAN.