Iraqi Militias: US Jets Broke Airspace Rules

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, accused the United States of violating Iraqi airspace. The group released a statement detailing 171 alleged incursions by US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. These incidents reportedly occurred between September 30 and Friday. The accusations were not independently verified by outside observers.

The dispute follows a significant shift in regional military presence. The US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its mission in Iraq on September 30. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has used this transition to push for state control over militia weapons. A plan to consolidate these arms is set to take full effect by June 2027. However, powerful factions disagree on how to handle the process.

Tensions are high between the Iraqi government and the militias. The Islamic Resistance claims Baghdad is appeasing Washington due to US pressure. They are unhappy with recent reductions in commercial flights and the closing of border crossings with Iran. Some groups, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, remain opposed to disarmament. Others, including Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, have expressed willingness to cooperate.

Prime Minister Zaidi has extended the deadline for disarmament to June 30, 2027. In an interview with Iraqi state media, he stated that no weapons will remain outside the state framework by that date. He emphasized that Iraq aims to be a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of security forces. This goal illustrates a central challenge for Baghdad as it seeks to consolidate control after the coalition withdrawal.

The US State Department has warned of increasing regional threats that could affect security in Iraq. A travel advisory published on Saturday cited the threat of increased attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. The advisory noted that Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure could lead to wider escalation. It warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

The advisory specifically highlighted threats from armed groups inside Iraq. It stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department also warned that militias threaten American citizens and international companies using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices.

These events coincide with other developments involving Iran. US intelligence warned of increased Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats in the Middle East. A memorandum to the Secretary of State indicated that some plots had reached advanced stages. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party. Clashes between the IRGC and Kurdish fighters have intensified in mountainous areas over the last week.