Iran has condemned American air strikes on Tehran-backed militia groups in Iraq as a “gross violation” of a fragile ceasefire, throwing a British-led diplomatic initiative into jeopardy. The attack, which killed at least 19 fighters according to Iraqi sources, comes just days after the UK urged restraint on all sides in the Gulf. For families in Basra and the wider region, the cycle of retaliation means another wave of uncertainty.
Oil prices have ticked up, feeding fears of higher fuel costs in the North of England. The British Foreign Office declined to comment on the timing of the strikes, but sources indicate that diplomats are privately furious. The US insists the action was defensive, targeting groups it blames for recent attacks on American personnel.
But for those trying to rebuild livelihoods after years of conflict, the prospect of renewed violence is a bitter blow.
