BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah announced on early Thursday a five-day suspension of operations targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, contingent upon several conditions.
In a statement, the group said its leader ordered the halt in line with demands that Israel cease its displacement and bombing of the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The statement further required a commitment to "not bombing residential areas in Baghdad and other provinces" as well as the withdrawal of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency personnel from their stations to the embassy.
The group warned that any non-compliance would trigger a "direct and concentrated" response and an escalation of attacks after the five days.
Since the large-scale military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone has been frequently attacked by drones and rockets. On Tuesday, embassy facilities caught fire following an attack. ■
