Drone Attacks a 'Fatal Mistake,' Washington Will Respond: Former Top U.S. Army Official

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A former top Pentagon official has issued a stark warning that the United States will respond to the recent drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region, calling the actions by Iranian-backed militias a "lethal, fatal mistake" and forecasting "very, very severe" consequences that will include both military action and sanctions.

In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan24 on Sunday, Joe R. Reeder, a former U.S. Under Secretary of the Army from 1993 to 1997 and who has represented Kurdish interests in Washington, stated unequivocally that the perpetrators should expect a forceful and deliberate American response.

“The terrorists, and they they are terrorists, who have grown attacked, need to understand, that, we will respond,” Reeder said. “I think the terrorists made a lethal, fatal mistake, but we will respond at a time of our choosing. And I think the response they can count on it will be military, and it will be sanctions as well.”

Reeder identified the culprits as “Kataib Hizballah and and other terrorist US designated terrorist groups,” noting that two U.S. companies were victimized in the recent assaults. He highlighted the devastating nature of the attacks, which utilized "Iranian created drones" with warheads of about 17 pounds.

The former official directly linked the timing of the attacks to the sensitive oil-for-salary negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad. He observed that once an agreement was reached, "the drone stopped." However, he stressed the real-world impact of the damage on the KRG's ability to fulfill its end of the bargain.

“The devastation of those drone attacks is inexcusable. Obviously, now that oil needs to be produced, but the damage done is gonna slow that up a little bit,” he explained. “It's going to take a few days to get the oil companies back producing the barrels of oil that were impeded by the drone attacks.”

Reeder insisted that Baghdad must be realistic about this delay. “The most important thing, I believe, is to ensure that the agreement on the table is honored and also to ensure that those in Baghdad understand that the damage done to the oil fields is such that being able to go back to the 450,000 barrels before, it's gonna take a a little bit of time,” he said.

The warning of repercussions was not limited to the militias alone. Reeder suggested that sanctions could extend to government officials in Baghdad who fail to control these groups.

“There should be, and I believe there will be serious sanctions. And those sanctions, can go all the way to the, those people in, responsible in government, who don't take the appropriate action,” he stated. He added that those in Baghdad with "uncomfortable relationships, close relationships" with the militias need to understand "that they are going to pay consequence also, if these militias are allowed to run wild."

Reeder expressed his confidence that the Biden administration would act decisively. “Based on the past, I am quite confident there will be consequences, serious consequences,” he said, suggesting the response would be even stronger than previous retaliatory actions.

The economic stakes of the attacks are high, not only for the Kurdistan Region but also for the United States. Reeder noted the significant American business interests in the region, which he quantified at approximately 110 billion dollars. "So we have a a common interest," he said. "And, the United States Department of Commerce encouraged those agreements. And, so it's going to be very important that these oil companies are able to operate safely and efficiently."

Addressing the Kurdistan Region’s defense vulnerabilities, Reeder acknowledged the need for better air defense systems to counter the drone threat. While stating he was “not at liberty to get into specifics about deployment of equipment,” he affirmed the importance of the issue. “I'm quite confident that, we're working so closely together that, that this will get remedied,” he said, acknowledging that air defense mechanisms are an "important piece of that."

For any investigation into the attacks to be credible, Reeder stressed the necessity of Kurdish participation. “The investigative body, needs to include, Kurds. It doesn't have to be dominated or led by Kurds, but it needs to include, Kurds to have any credibility,” he said.

Ultimately, he argued that the stability of Iraq hinges on Baghdad’s respect for the Kurdistan Region’s rights and safety. “Those in in in Baghdad, they don't have to love the Kurds the way I love the Kurds. Okay? But they have to respect them, and they have to hold sacred, safety and and, and their livelihoods,” he asserted. “And, otherwise, Iraq is not functioning. That's very important.”