Thread by @HamdiAlkhshali

Spox of the commander of #Iraq’s Armed Forces, said during a live interview on state television, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper informed the Iraqi Prime Minister half an hour prior to the US airstrikes against #Iran-backed militia positions. #Hezbollah

According to the Spox, Esper told #Iraq's PM that the targeted groups are "suspected by the Americans of launching rockets at the K1 base in #Kirkuk which led to the killing of an American contractor and wounded a number of Americans and Iraqis.”. #Iran

Spox said that #Iraq's PM "expressed his strong objection to this unilateral decision and his concern that it would lead to further escalation and demanded that he [Esper] stop it [airstrikes] immediately.”. #Iran #Hezbollah