U.S. Lodges Protest Over Iraqi Drone Attack on Journalist Convoy

BAGHDAD, Iraq—The United States has lodged a formal protest with the Iraqi government over a recent drone attack that narrowly missed a U.S. convoy carrying American journalist Shelly Kittleston, according to U.S. officials.

The incident, which occurred at a facility near Baghdad International Airport, has heightened tensions between the United States and Iraq over Iran-aligned militias operating in the country. U.S. forces have been deployed in Iraq since 2014 to combat the Islamic State, and in recent months, tensions have risen as Iranian-backed militias have been accused of launching attacks on U.S. personnel and installations.

According to officials, the drone attack on the U.S. convoy was carried out by an Iraqi drone, which was likely operated by one of the Iran-aligned militias based in Iraq. The drone attack came close to hitting the convoy, but did not strike, and the journalist, Shelly Kittleston, was safely released.

In response to the incident, the United States has lodged a formal protest with the Iraqi government, demanding that it take all necessary measures to prevent such attacks in the future. The U.S. also wants Iraq to take action against the Iran-aligned militias operating in the country, which are accused of launching attacks on U.S. personnel and installations.

“This incident is yet another example of the risks faced by U.S. personnel in Iraq and the need for Iraq to take action against Iranian-backed militias operating on its soil,” said a U.S. official. “We urge the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to protect its international obligations and prevent such attacks from happening in the future.”

The incident has also raised concerns about the security situation in Iraq, particularly at Baghdad International Airport, which is a critical transportation hub for international flights. The airport has been the target of previous attacks, and the recent drone incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed militias.

The United States has been engaged in a delicate balancing act in Iraq, seeking to maintain relations with the Iraqi government while also countering the influence of Iranian-backed militias. The incident has further complicated U.S.-Iraqi relations, and analysts are closely watching to see how the Iraqi government responds to the U.S. demands.

The U.S. government has also warned its citizens of the rising security risks in Iraq, advising them to exercise extreme caution when traveling to the country. The latest incident has further heightened these concerns, and U.S. officials are likely to be monitoring the situation closely as it continues to unfold.