By Behold Israel, Aug 28, 2019

Calls for the US to leave Iraq are on the rise after Israel carries out airstrike on Iraqi air base; Haeri blames Israel and the United States for the attack; Haeri: I declare it is forbidden for any American military force or its ilk to remain in Iraq under any pretext; Robertson: Iraqis have a right to control their own internal security and protect their democracy. In particular, Iran must not use Iraqi territory to threaten other countries in the region.

In response to the recent confirmation of Israel carrying out airstrikes at Hashd Al-Shaabi air base, Iraqi leadership is now calling for the United States to leave their country immediately.  Last week, Israel, departing from Nevatim Air Base, carried out airstrikes on the Iraqi base, targeting a weapons depot; more specifically, short-range ballistic missiles belonging to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).  The PMU has heavy Iranian ties.  Let me repeat-Israel carried out a strike on an Iraqi base, and the two people killed were Iranian commanders belonging to the PMU.  Iran isn’t just entrenched in Syria, they are all over the place, and this is why you’re seeing multiple strikes in multiple locations.

All of this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, given PM Netanyahu’s words earlier this month when he said, “I don’t give Iran immunity anywhere. Iran is a country, a power, who has declared its desire to annihilate Israel. It is trying to establish bases against us everywhere. In Iran itself, in Lebanon, in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen.”

The reason for the demand for the US to leave the region comes as a result of them supporting the Israeli strikes.  Not only has Secretary Mike Pompeo repeatedly supported Israel’s right to defend itself against the Iranian regime, but others with significant status are weighing in as well.  Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Sean Robertson argued that while the US certainly does respect Iraqi sovereignty over their own land, the US has also, “repeatedly spoken out against any potential actions by neighbors that could lead to violence in Iraq… Iraqis have a right to control their own internal security and protect their democracy. In particular, Iran must not use Iraqi territory to threaten other countries in the region.”  Ironically, this is exactly what Iran is doing, and not just in Iraq, but throughout the Middle East-and Iraq is not ignorant of their actions.  Additionally, the US official who confirmed the strikes made clear that the US, “strongly supports Israel’s right to self-defense,” and, “the United States condemns the Iranian regime’s provocative actions in Iraq.”

Iraqi cleric, Grand Ayatollah Kazem Haeri stated, “I declare it is forbidden for any American military force or its ilk to remain in Iraq under any pretext: whether for military training and advising, or for counter-terrorism,”.  In other words, “Since you’re exposing all of the plans we have to harm Israel and create violence in the region, you can’t be here!”.  I guess you can’t blame him…and neither will the UN.

It is worth noting that while the US supports Israel’s right to defend themselves right now, a day is coming when the US, along with the rest of the world, will do nothing more than protest the invasion that is going to come against Israel, which is detailed in Ezekiel 38.

“Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?’”

Ezekiel 38:13