FILE – In this Feb. 23, 2017 photo, U.S. Army soldiers stand outside their armored vehicle on a joint base with Iraqi army south of Mosul, Iraq. Nov. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, File)
On August 15, a convoy carrying logistical supplies for the U.S.-led coalition was targeted in the southern region of Iraq.
“An improvised explosive device (IED) blew up today’s afternoon, targeting a convoy carrying logistical supplies for the U.S.-led coalition on the highway between Dhi Qar and Basrah,” an Iraqi security source told the al-Sumaria News TV.
The security source, whose identity was not revealed, added that the IED attack didn’t result in any real losses, without providing any further details.
Sabereen News, a Telegram channel with links to Shiite armed groups in Iraq, reported that the convoy was attacked by Usbat al-Tha’ireen. This is yet to be verified.
This was the 7th attack on U.S.-led coalition supply convoys in Iraq in the last 30 days. On July 11, gunmen burned three trucks carrying supplies, including an armored vehicle, for the coalition in the southern province of al-Diwaniyah.
The attacks were not limited to supply convoys, but also targeted Iraqi contractors. A day earlier, a vehicle belonging to a local company working for the coalition was targeted with an IED on al-Diwaniyah highway, according to the country’s Security Media Cell.
Iraqi Shiite groups are apparently preparing to escalate their attacks on the U.S.-led coalition. A day earlier, one of these groups, ‘Ashab al-Kahf, warned Iraqi civilians and military personnel from approaching coalition positions and convoys.
It should be quite lively by October and even on election day itself. We need to get out of there.