A senior official from the Nujaba Movement declared that President Trump must adhere to the troop withdrawal commitment made by his predecessor, President Obama. The official expressed readiness to respond to any attacks against Iraq by U.S. forces or Israel, revealing a heightened tension in the Middle East following renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Discussions between the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Iraqi leadership called for de-escalation amidst ongoing geopolitical instability.
A senior official from the Nujaba Movement, a prominent Iraqi militia, has communicated to Newsweek that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to fulfill former President Obama’s commitment to withdraw American troops from Iraq by December 2025. Firas al-Yasser, a member of the Nujaba Movement’s Political Council, asserted, “Trump is obligated to withdraw his forces from Iraq by the end of 2025.” He indicated confidence in the militia’s capacity to respond to any perceived threats from U.S. forces, asserting that they are prepared to retaliate against escalations in the region.
The Nujaba Movement operates under a coalition known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, closely aligned with Iranian interests. Despite a cessation of attacks against U.S. troops since February 2024, tensions escalated with the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Yasser expressed concern about Israeli military threats toward Iraq. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein acknowledged that while an immediate threat had been deterred, future attacks remain possible.
Yasser indicated that the Nujaba Movement would be ready to act against the U.S. or Israel in response to any attacks on Iraq. He stated, “These warnings are nothing new,” referencing previous threats from Israel. The remarks underscore the ongoing precariousness of U.S.-Iraq relations amid regional conflicts and the volatile situation involving Israeli and Palestinian dynamics.
The imperative for de-escalation was emphasized during a call between U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Al-Sudani maintained that cooperation and dialogue are key to addressing Middle Eastern crises, amidst the backdrop of the U.S. military’s actions against Iranian proxies in the region, including the Houthi movement.
Yasser criticized the U.S. operations in Yemen and against Palestinian interests, suggesting that such actions demonstrate America’s unreliability. He remarked, “America must realize that the world has begun to change.” Yasser’s comments also reflect the broader resistance against U.S. presence in Iraq, rooted in the country’s troubled history since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Established in 2013 to support the Syrian government, the Nujaba Movement integrates into a larger militia framework, the Popular Mobilization Forces, established to combat ISIS. After the defeat of ISIS in 2019, these forces retained operational autonomy. Under President Biden’s administration, an agreement was reached to initiate troop withdrawals between September 2025 and September 2026, though skepticism remains regarding U.S. compliance with this timeline.
Despite initial hopes that Trump’s presidency could lead to reduced U.S. military footprint abroad, commitments to withdrawal remain unfulfilled. Yasser articulated a readiness for a multifaceted response to any military action directed at Iraqi forces, asserting that the Iraqi Resistance is united and vigilant. “I believe we are at a stage where all options are possible,” he stated, indicating heightened alertness amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Nujaba Movement and other Iraqi militias are prepared to respond firmly against any perceived aggression from U.S. or Israeli forces, emphasizing the obligation for the U.S. to withdraw troops from Iraq. The delicate state of U.S.-Iraq relations is further complicated by the resurgence of conflicts in the region. Amidst rising tensions, the imperative for dialogue and de-escalation resonates strongly among Iraqi leaders, underscoring the potential for an escalating conflict if provocations persist.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
