BAGHDAD, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite militia close to Iran, threatened Monday to attack U.S. interests in Iraq and the Middle East region if the United States supports an Israeli offensive against Lebanon's Hezbollah.
In a televised speech, al-Khazali said, "If the United States continues to support this usurping entity (Israel) in its expanded operations and attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah, America should know that it is exposing all its interests in the region and Iraq subject to attack and danger."
Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella body for Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, has launched multiple attacks on Israel and U.S. bases in the region.
Al-Khazali's comments came amid increasing tension between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that after the conclusion of the "intensive phase" in Gaza, "we will continue northward," referring to Israel's warnings of launching a full-fledged war against Hezbollah. ■
