Baghdad –
"Kata'ib Hezbollah" in Iraq issued severe warnings to Washington and Amman via a statement by its spokesperson, "Abu Mujahid al-Assaf." The statement began by denying any organizational affiliation to the abductee "Muhammad Baqir al-Sadi," while emphasizing that he would be returned soon.
The statement directly accused Jordan of facilitating intelligence operations against the factions, warning:
"Most of the American and Zionist reconnaissance operations launch from Jordan in preparation to carry out hostile acts inside Iraq. The Amman government must learn its lesson... for patience is running thin."
The brigades also threatened Washington with a comprehensive response in the event that leaders of the resistance or the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) are targeted:
We warn against any targeting of the sons of Iraq, as the response against the Americans will be across various domains."
The statement concluded by noting that any return of US General David Petraeus would be an opportunity for confrontation, after their bases had previously turned into a "duck hunting field."