US’ Blinken makes unannounced visit to Iraq amid fears of regional conflict

Top US diplomat’s visit comes after Lebanon accuses Israel of killing four civilians in air raid. 

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a surprise visit to Iraq amid growing fears the Israel-Hamas war could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

Blinken, who is on a multi-country tour of the Middle East, held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday as Washington seeks Baghdad’s help in cracking down on attacks on US forces that it has blamed on Iran-backed groups. 

Speaking to reporters after their meeting, Blinken said the talks with al-Sudani were “productive” and his Iraqi counterpart was working with his security forces to “take necessary action” to deal with the attacks.

“This is a matter of Iraqi sovereignty,” Blinken said. “No country wants to have militia groups engaged in violent activity.”

“We have a shared purpose and commitment in trying to make sure that these attacks don’t happen,” the top US diplomat added.

Al-Sudani, whose government has close ties with Iran but has publicly condemned attacks on US forces in his country, reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and pointed to “the urgency of containing the crisis and preventing its spread”, his office said in a statement.

The US Pentagon says that rocket and drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria – most of which have been claimed by a group calling itself the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” – have increased significantly since the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Washington has stepped up its diplomacy in the Middle East as Arab countries and armed groups in the region grow increasingly angry over the mounting death toll from Israel’s war on the Palestinian armed group Hamas. 

Blinken’s visit, following stops in Israel and Jordan, came after Lebanese officials said an Israeli air raid killed four civilians, including three children, in the latest escalation in fighting along the tense Lebanon-Israel border.

The Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah on Sunday warned that “the enemy will pay the price” for the attacks. Al-Sudani is on Monday expected to begin a regional tour to Iran and the Persian Gulf nations.