In response to attacks by local militant groups in Iraq and Syria, the United States carried out airstrikes, targeting 85 locations affiliated with Iranian-backed militias in the region. However, the Iraqi government has denied receiving any prior warning from the U.S. and has alleged that the strikes resulted in the deaths of several civilians.

Over the weekend, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally protested the "American aggression" and delivered a note of protest to the chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Iraqi government strongly emphasized its rejection of being used as a battleground for rival countries and condemned the use of force on its soil as a means of communication between adversaries.

It is important to note that the Iraqi government, while a nominal U.S. ally, maintains close ties with neighboring Iran. The presence of about 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq, invited by the Iraqi government, is primarily aimed at combating the remnants of the Islamic State.

In the past month, tensions between Iranian-backed militias and the United States have escalated. A coalition of such militias claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three American service members. The militias cited U.S. support for Israel as their motivation for the attack.

The recent U.S. airstrikes, the largest attack on Iranian-backed militias since Israel's war on Gaza began, were carried out in response to the increased targeting of American interests in the region by these groups. However, the Biden administration has been careful to stress that these strikes are not part of Israel's conflict with Hamas.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, addressing questions about the situation, rejected the notion of a "larger conflict" and clarified that there is a distinct conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Biden administration aims to separate its actions from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

As tensions continue to rise in the region, the Iraqi government's denial of any U.S. warning and their allegations of civilian casualties further complicate the situation. The aftermath of the airstrikes will likely prompt further discussions and negotiations between Iraq and the United States, as well as heighten concerns about stability in the Middle East.