BAGHDAD: The US ambassador to Iraq met Sunday with former prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki, the Iraqi politician’s office said, a day after pro-Iran militants struck US forces in the country.
The meeting in Baghdad with Ambassador Alina Romanowski comes amid soaring regional tensions, the fallout from more than three months of war between US ally Israel and Hamas, supported by Tehran.
Ballistic missiles were launched Saturday at a base hosting US forces in western Iraq, in an attack claimed by “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a loose alliance of Iran-linked militants that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
Since mid-October, shortly after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, there have been dozens of attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, deployed there to fight Daesh extremists.
Maliki, an influential figure in Iraqi politics and one of the top leaders of a pro-Iranian bloc, discussed with Romanowski “the future of bilateral relations” with the United States and “the escalation in regional tensions,” a statement from his office said.
He stressed “the importance of strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation” between Baghdad and Washington, the statement added.
Maliki also warned against “the expansion of the war” with “multiple crises the region faces” in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, the Red Sea, Syria and Iraq.
He called for “swift action to reduce tensions and put an end to mutual attacks.”
Romanowski has not commented on the meeting. She regularly meets Iraqi officials and leaders across the political spectrum.
Maliki’s faction is part of the Coordination Framework, Iraq’s main pro-Iran coalition which has a majority in parliament.
The current Iraqi prime minister, Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani, was nominated by the Coordination Framework and relies on the support of Iran-aligned parties.
The Coordination Framework unites veteran politicians and former paramilitaries.
It includes opponents of Saddam Hussein’s regime who have taken the helm since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled the former dictator, alongside the Hashed Al-Shaabi — a collection of mainly pro-Iranian former paramilitary units now integrated into the Iraqi armed forces.
One of the Hashed’s factions, Kataeb Hezbollah, expressed on Sunday their support for “Islamic Resistance in Iraq.”
A spokesman for the group, Abu Ali Al-Askari, said “the brothers of the resistance keep striking enemy strongholds,” calling in a statement to “continue the escalation of operations.”
The United States has about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and nearly 900 in Syria.
Sudani has repeatedly said in recent weeks he would like to see foreign troops leave Iraq.
Ex-Iraq premier meets US envoy after missile strike
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Ex-Iraq premier meets US envoy after missile strike
- Maliki warned against “the expansion of the war” with “multiple crises the region faces” in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, the Red Sea, Syria and Iraq
Israel police to deploy around Al-Aqsa for Ramadan, Palestinians report curbs
- The Al-Aqsa compound is a central symbol of Palestinian identity and also a frequent flashpoint
JERUSALEM: Israeli police said Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound.
Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Al-Aqsa — Islam’s third-holiest site, located in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed.
Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and in the surrounding area.
He said thousands of police would also be on duty for Friday prayers, which draw the largest crowds of Muslim worshippers.
Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem.
He did not say whether age limits would apply, adding that the final number of people would be decided by the government.
The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said in a separate statement it had been informed that permits would again be restricted to men over 55 and women over 50, mirroring last year’s criteria.
It said Israeli authorities had blocked the Islamic Waqf — the Jordanian?run body administering the site — from carrying out routine preparations, including installing shade structures and setting up temporary medical clinics.
A Waqf source confirmed the restrictions and said 33 of its employees had been barred from entering the compound in the week before Ramadan.
The Al-Aqsa compound is a central symbol of Palestinian identity and also a frequent flashpoint.
Under long?standing arrangements, Jews may visit the compound — which they revere as the site of their second temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD — but they are not permitted to pray there.
Israel says it is committed to maintaining this status quo, though Palestinians fear it is being eroded.
Braverman reiterated Monday that no changes were planned.
In recent years, a growing number of Jewish ultranationalists have challenged the prayer ban, including far?right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, who prayed at the site while serving as national security minister in 2024 and 2025.
