Iraqi Group Pauses Attacks on U.S. Embassy, Demands Halt to Israeli Strikes on Beirut
Baghdad, Iraq – A pro-Iran Iraqi armed group, Kataeb Hezbollah, announced Thursday it would suspend attacks targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for five days, contingent on Israel ceasing bombardments of southern suburbs of Beirut. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the region and a recent surge in attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq.
The pause in attacks, ordered by the group’s secretary-general, follows a period of increased drone and rocket fire directed at the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. installations in Iraq. AFP journalists reported no attacks on the embassy Wednesday night, a shift from the near-daily occurrences in recent days.
However, violence continued elsewhere in Iraq. An explosion was reported near Erbil International Airport in the autonomous Kurdistan region Thursday, with smoke seen rising near the perimeter. Two drones also targeted a U.S. logistics center at Baghdad International Airport, though neither caused damage, according to a security official.
Kataeb Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by Washington, stipulated that the truce is conditional on Israel refraining from bombing residential areas in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces. The group warned that any violation of the ceasefire would be met with an “immediate” response and a resumption of attacks after the five-day period.
The developments unfold as Iraq finds itself increasingly caught in the wider Middle East conflict sparked by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28. Strikes have targeted Iran-backed groups, who have in turn claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq and across the region.
Earlier Thursday, two fighters affiliated with the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were killed in strikes in northern Iraq, the group said, blaming the U.S. and Israel for the attacks. The PMF, a component of Iraq’s regular armed forces, includes several pro-Iran factions.
The situation remains volatile, highlighting the complex interplay of regional conflicts and the potential for further escalation.
(Photo Credit: AFP) – The daughter of a member of Kataeb Hezbollah attends his funeral in Najaf, Iraq, on March 19, 2026. The group announced a pause in attacks on the U.S. Embassy contingent on conditions.
Published – March 19, 2026 10:01 pm IST