Unusual Activity of US Military Cargo Planes Near Iraqi-Syrian Border Raises Questions
Reports from residents near the Ain al-Assad base in the al-Baghdadi district of Anbar province in Iraq indicate an atypical surge in the movement of US military cargo planes. As more American planes touch down at the base, there seems to be a correlated decline in the presence of Iraqi militias linked to Iran in the surrounding streets.
This situation prompts speculation about the intentions behind this flurry of activity near the Iraqi-Syrian border. Is the United States aiming to target Shiite militias in the region?
According to credible sources, US military forces stationed at Ain al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Governorate, located in western Iraq, are allegedly formulating plans to secure the lengthy Iraq-Syria border. Additionally, the US military is reportedly dispatching fresh convoys of military trucks laden with weaponry and logistical resources from Iraq to Al-Hasakah Governorate in Syria.
Insider accounts reveal that American troops stationed at the strategically significant Ain al-Assad base are receiving multiple shipments of military equipment from the base situated in the Syrian Al-Tanf area. These supplies are believed to be earmarked for the execution of a covert program within the region.
However, Pat Ryder, a spokesperson from the Pentagon, asserts that there hasn’t been any significant shift in the forces’ mission to combat ISIS in Syria. Ryder dispels recent misconceptions suggesting US forces are involved in securing the Iraq-Syria border. He clarifies that border security falls under the jurisdiction of the Iraqi government and is not a responsibility of the US forces stationed there.
Jared Zuba, an American writer, highlights the Pentagon’s close vigilance on the escalating cooperation between Iran and Russia in Syria. This monitoring extends to the border area shared by Iraq and Syria, particularly following recent instances of Russian provocations against US forces at the Al-Tanf base. Zuba concludes by predicting that the US’s visible actions in Albukamal, an area controlled by Syrian regime forces, could trigger a substantial escalation.
Former Iraqi parliamentarian Omar Abdel Sattar Mahmoud delves into the internal dynamics of loyalty among Iranian militias within Iraq. Mahmoud suggests that the United States is concentrating on Iran’s associations with Russia, aiming to weaken their ties. This, Mahmoud suggests, might serve as a bargaining chip for the US in negotiations with Iran.
Al-Maliki, a prominent figure leading the “Islamic Dawa” party known for its pro-Iran stance, expressed his concerns during a televised interview on an Iraqi channel. He emphasized the apprehension surrounding the movements of foreign forces in Iraq and neighboring countries. Al-Maliki fears a resurgence of the confrontational atmosphere that previously prevailed in the region. He believes that these foreign forces are working towards closing the Iraq-Syria borders, albeit his statements don’t explicitly outline the purpose behind such actions.
