Tensions have escalated in Iraq as Iran-backed militias formally accused the United States of violating Iraqi airspace. This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of intense friction between the Baghdad government and these armed factions over the state’s efforts to consolidate control over weaponry, according to a report by Rudaw.
“Standing with the forces of righteousness against the forces of evil is a duty dictated by sound human nature,” the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) declared, as reported by Rudaw. The coalition views the regional conflict involving Iran as a direct confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv, having previously launched attacks against Israel during the Gaza conflict.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-aligned militias, remains a staunch supporter of Tehran. The group issued this statement amidst widespread speculation regarding a potential new military confrontation with Iran.
Militia leaders have also accused the Iraqi capital of appeasing Washington under US pressure. The IRI expressed displeasure over Baghdad’s reduction of commercial flights and closure of border crossings with Iran. The group claims to have documented 171 airspace violations by US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft since September 30, allegations that remain unverified.
These accusations follow the formal conclusion of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition’s military mission in Iraq on September 30. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is leveraging this transition to bring militia weaponry under state control, a move rejected by several powerful factions. While some groups have agreed to the policy, key factions oppose the plan, which is slated for implementation by June 2027.
Some militias opposed to disarmament, others willing to cooperate
According to Rudaw, key factions such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain firmly opposed to any disarmament, while Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have signaled a willingness to cooperate with federal integration efforts.
Prime Minister Zaidi has extended the formal disarmament deadline to June 30, 2027, asserting that “no weapons will remain outside the framework of the state” by that date, as stated in an interview with Iraqi state media.
This dispute underscores a central challenge facing Iraq. Even following the withdrawal of the US-led coalition, Iran-backed factions maintain that their arsenals are vital for confronting Washington and Israel, directly clashing with Baghdad’s drive to assert sovereign authority over all armed groups.
These tensions coincide with warnings from the US State Department regarding escalating regional threats that could jeopardize Iraqi security. On Saturday, the US Embassy in Iraq updated the State Department’s travel advisory, highlighting the threat of intensified attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis, alongside terrorist risks from Iran-aligned militias within Iraq.
The advisory maintained its highest-level warning against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia—including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure—could trigger a broader regional escalation.
“The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the State Department warned, adding that “the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.”
The advisory specifically spotlighted threats from domestic armed groups. “Terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests in Iraq,” the State Department stated.
State Department warns of threats to US citizens, companies
The advisory also warned that these militias pose a direct threat to American citizens and international corporations, citing potential attacks using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices targeting airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities.
This warning underscores the complex security landscape facing Baghdad. While the Iraqi government seeks to consolidate control over armed factions, Washington views Iran-aligned militias as a persistent threat. Concurrently, the escalation involving the Houthis highlights how regional conflicts could easily draw Iraq into broader confrontations, undermining stability.
These domestic tensions coincide with broader regional developments involving Iran and its proxy networks. On Saturday, Rudaw reported that US intelligence had warned of heightened Iranian plots to assassinate American diplomats and officials across the Middle East. Citing an Axios report, Rudaw noted that a memorandum from US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that certain alleged Iranian schemes had reached advanced stages. This intelligence has prompted Washington to reduce embassy staffing amid concerns over regional escalation.
Concurrently, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that it had targeted a gathering center belonging to the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an Iranian Kurdish opposition group. Although the strike occurred within Iranian territory, it carries significant implications for Iraq, where Tehran has historically targeted Kurdish opposition factions. According to Rudaw, clashes between the IRGC and the PJAK’s armed wing, the Eastern Kurdistan Units (YRK), have intensified. Iran has deployed drones and artillery against Kurdish fighters in mountainous terrain, describing the operation as a preemptive strike against members allegedly planning attacks.
These developments coincide with continued efforts by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to assert state monopoly on force. In an interview quoted by Rudaw on Friday, Zaidi insisted that “Iraq will soon, God willing, be a state free of factions, like other countries in the world, and weapons will be exclusively in the hands of the Iraqi security forces.”
These developments illustrate the intense, competing pressures facing Baghdad. While the Iraqi government seeks to consolidate state authority over armed groups, Iran-backed militias view themselves as integral to a wider regional confrontation with the US and Israel. Simultaneously, Iran’s operations against Kurdish opposition groups and reports of threats to American officials suggest that tensions could rapidly spread across multiple fronts.
Baghdad has made some localized progress, securing a new agreement with the Yazidi armed group YBS in Sinjar, as well as a deal with Turkey to vacate a base near Bashiqa. However, these achievements may represent low-hanging fruit compared to the formidable power of Iran-backed militias. Sharing a long border with Iraq, Tehran views the country as part of its “near abroad” and has conducted hundreds of attacks—1,000 on the Kurdistan Region and 600 on the rest of Iraq—often utilizing proxy militias.
For Iraq, the challenge extends beyond disarming militias; it involves preventing the nation from becoming a primary battleground in a wider regional conflict. The coming months will test whether Prime Minister Zaidi can translate government commitments into reality, particularly as the June 2027 deadline draws near.