BAGHDAD, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq on Saturday accused U.S. forces of violating Iraqi sovereignty through repeated airspace incursions.
In a statement, the group, an umbrella body for Iraq's pro-Iranian militias, claimed to have documented 171 aerial violations carried out by U.S. combat and reconnaissance aircraft over Iraq between Sept. 30 and Oct. 23.
The group characterized these flights as a breach of existing bilateral agreements and obligations, urging the Iraqi government to address the situation publicly.
The statement also criticized recent administrative decisions to close airports and land border crossings with neighboring Iran, alleging that the measures were taken under external pressure.
The group's remarks came after Iraq closed the al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran in southern Maysan province effective Wednesday morning until further notice and officially announced the conclusion of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State in Iraq on Sept. 30. ■
