US response to Iraq drone strike must go beyond investigative help, say experts
▶ Washington offers assistance after assassination attempt on Al Kadhimi
The US has offered to help Iraq investigate the assassination attempt against Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.
Washington has not yet pointed the finger of blame for Sunday’s attack by three armed drones on Mr Al Kadhimi’s home in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
“We will continue to consult closely with our Iraqi partners. If they determine that they have any needs that their own capacities and capabilities leave unmet, we are happy to provide that assistance and together we will chart the next steps,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
Such international co-operation is not uncommon. The US sent Federal Bureau of Investigation agents to help with last year’s Beirut port explosion probe and offered to help after this year’s rocket attacks in Erbil.
Mr Price said the drone strike was an attack on the Iraqi state. He said Washington was “ready to provide every form of appropriate assistance that our Iraqi partners may need”.
Asked about retaliation, he said the US would follow Baghdad’s lead and respond “at a time and place, and with the means, of our choosing”.
The Iraqi government has not detailed what kind of support it may be looking for.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said the US could help to identify the origin of the drones.
“This can be done by comparing drones used by Iranbacked groups in Iraq and examining drone wreckage and component parts both in Iraq and in other theatres,” Mr Ben Taleblu told The National.
“Washington should not be afraid to call a spade a spade. Given the evident political fallout from the October elections, Iran’s persistent involvement in Iraq, and the discontent of the Shiite militias, all signs already point to Iran-backed groups in Iraq being behind this attack,” he said.
He said the omission of the words “militia” and “Iran” from the State Department’s condemnation of the attack was “a mistake”.
The State Department is waiting for the investigation to conclude before assigning responsibility, Mr Price said.
Mr Ben Taleblu said once that is done, the US should impose sanctions on the perpetrators.
“Washington should seek to echo and amplify the findings from any investigation Baghdad undertakes, including naming, shaming and sanctioning militias or other entities that may have been involved in the attack,” he said.
Ranj Alaaldin, an Iraq expert and Brookings Institution fellow, said the attack was an “embarrassing moment for the US and Iraq” and described the offer to help as part of an unfolding pattern following attacks by pro-Iran militias in Iraq.
“Previous efforts have resulted in largely symbolic arrests and it is difficult to see how things will be any different on this occasion,” he said.
Iraq has the ability to determine culpability but lacks the political will, he added.
“There are only a handful of groups that possess command-and-control capabilities that could permit the use of drones and rockets for attacking highly sensitive targets: Iran’s proxies have both the means and motivation,” Mr Alaaldin said.
The US support should include more than investigative response, he said.
“US military support for a USaligned prime minister who has just survived an assassination attempt by groups that have committed widespread atrocities is a strategic and moral imperative,” he said.
Washington has not yet pointed the finger of blame over Sunday’s armed drone attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone