Iraqi Militias Log 171 US Air Breaches

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-backed groups, says US fighter jets and reconnaissance planes have entered Iraqi airspace 171 times. The group counts these incursions from September 30 through Friday. This period begins the day after the US-led anti-ISIS coalition ended its military mission in Iraq. The militias have not provided independent verification for these counts.

The accusations land during a period of rising friction between Baghdad and these armed groups. The alliance claims the Iraqi government is giving in to Washington’s pressure. They are also unhappy that Baghdad is cutting commercial flights and closing border crossings with Iran. The group positions itself as a defender of Iraqi sovereignty against American influence.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to centralize control over weapons. He has set a final deadline of June 30, 2027, for all militia arms to fall under state command. In an interview with Iraqi state media, Zaidi stated that no weapons would remain outside the state framework by that date. He described the goal as making Iraq a state free of factions where weapons are held only by security forces.

Reaction to this plan is split among the armed groups. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have rejected the disarmament initiative. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have signaled they will cooperate. The disagreement creates a complex political landscape for the prime minister as he seeks to consolidate power.

The US State Department issued a travel advisory update on Saturday. It warned of increased threats to US citizens and companies in Iraq. The advisory cited attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis against Saudi Arabia as a factor that could widen regional conflicts. It specifically noted that Houthi strikes on airports and infrastructure could lead to rapid escalation.

The advisory also pointed to threats from groups inside Iraq. It identified ISIS and Iran-aligned militias as actors who conduct attacks using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department maintained its warning against all travel to the country.

US intelligence has also raised alarms about Iranian plots. A memorandum from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that some assassination plots against American diplomats had reached advanced stages. This comes as Washington reduces staffing at several embassies. The IRGC also targeted a PJAK gathering center in Iran on Saturday, an action that may affect security near the Iraqi border.