Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades Spokesman Jaafar Al-Husseini: U.S. Forces in Iraq Are Legitimate Targets

In a February 3, 2019 interview on Mayadeen TV (Lebanon), Jaafar Al-Husseini, spokesman for the Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades, said that U.S. President Trump has "gotten the world used to his stupidity" and that the Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades will not allow any American presence in Iraq, especially if the Americans' goal is to prepare an attack against Syria or Iran. He said that they have taken an oath before the free people of the region to "chop off any hand" attempting to harm Syria or Iran. He added that they are watching American movement in Iraq very carefully and that the American forces constitute legitimate targets for the resistance and should be legitimate targets for the Iraqi security forces as well.

Following are excerpts:

Jaafar Al-Husseini: Trump has gotten the world used to his stupidity. He wants to benefit but causes damage. That's being stupid.

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We will not allow any [American] presence on Iraqi land, especially if the only thing [Trump] wants to do here is [preparing] for an attack against Syria or Iran. We have taken an oath before our people and the free people of the region to chop off any hand attempting to harm our neighbors, Syria and Iran. We believe that we have the ability to prevent Trump and his soldiers from carrying out any of their threats towards Syria or Iran.

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We watch the movement of the Americans [in Iraq] carefully, day by day, hour by hour, and even minute by minute.

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Our country is under occupation. The Americans publically declared their occupation of Iraq, and what Trump has said also proves this. Therefore, all our options are open. We are capable of doing this, and will be the ones to decide when to do so – not Trump with all his statements.

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[The American forces] are definitely legitimate targets for the resistance. Moreover, they should constitute legitimate targets for the Iraqi security forces, which should at least oppose this [American] attack.

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We are now focused on driving the Americans away. If they carry out their plans, it will certainly affect them in a way that they may not forget for decades to come.