Militias Count 171 US Jet Incursions

Iran-backed militias in Iraq claim US military aircraft have violated national airspace 171 times since late September.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for several armed groups, released a report documenting these incidents between September 30 and Friday. The group alleges that fighter jets and reconnaissance planes crossed into Iraqi territory without proper authorization. These claims emerged after the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally concluded its military mission in Iraq on September 30. The accusations are not independently verified.

Tensions between Baghdad and the militias have intensified over a government plan to consolidate weapons under state control. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has sought to use the coalition's withdrawal as a catalyst for this disarmament process. The plan is scheduled to take full effect by June 30, 2027. Zaidi stated in an interview with Iraqi state media that no weapons should remain outside the framework of the state by that date.

The militias accuse the Iraqi government of appeasing Washington due to pressure from the United States. They are particularly unhappy about recent reductions in commercial flights and the closure of border crossings with Iran. Several powerful factions have rejected the disarmament initiative, while others have expressed willingness to cooperate. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to the measures. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have agreed to work with the government.

The US State Department issued a travel advisory update on Saturday, warning of increased regional threats. The advisory cited a rising threat from the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have attacked Saudi Arabia and other targets. The department noted that these hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area. It also warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

The advisory specifically identified threats from armed groups inside Iraq. It stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The department warned that these groups use drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices to strike American citizens and international companies.

US intelligence has also warned of increased Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials in the Middle East. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that some alleged plots have reached advanced stages. Washington is reducing staffing at several embassies in response to these concerns.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, on Saturday. The attack occurred inside Iran but carries implications for Iraq, where Tehran has previously targeted similar groups. Clashes between the IRGC and the party's armed wing, the Eastern Kurdistan Units, have intensified over the last week. Zaidi insists that Iraq will soon be a state free of factions, with weapons held exclusively by Iraqi security forces.