Militias Count 171 US Air Raids Since Coalition Exit, Straining Disarmament Push

Iraqi security dynamics have shifted since the US-led coalition left, with Iran-backed militias now tracking American military activity in the country's sky. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for these groups, stated on Friday that US fighter jets and reconnaissance planes entered Iraqi airspace 171 times between September 30 and the same day that week.

The allegations were not independently verified. The report comes as tensions rise between Baghdad and the militias over a plan to consolidate weapons under state control. The US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its mission in Iraq on September 30, creating a vacuum that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi aims to fill by bringing armed factions into the government framework.

Zaidi extended the disarmament deadline to June 30, 2027. In an interview with Iraqi state media, he said that by that date, no weapons would remain outside the framework of the state. The plan faces resistance from powerful factions that view their arms as necessary to confront Washington and Israel. The prime minister insists that Iraq will become a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of security forces.

Opinions among the militias are divided. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to the disarmament initiative. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. The IRI also accused Baghdad of appeasing the United States, citing pressure on Iraq to reduce commercial flights and close border crossings with Iran.

The US Embassy in Iraq updated its travel advisory on Saturday. The State Department warned of increasing regional threats, specifically citing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. The advisory maintained the existing warning against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, could lead to wider regional escalation.

The State Department said that hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area. It also stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence. The advisory listed terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, as groups that encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests.

Specific threats mentioned in the advisory include drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. Potential targets listed are airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The warning also noted that militias threaten American citizens and international companies operating in the region.

Separate developments in the region add to the complexity. On Saturday, reports indicated that US intelligence warned of increased Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials. A memorandum dated Friday from US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that some alleged Iranian plots had reached advanced stages. Washington has reduced staffing at several embassies amid these concerns.

In Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center for the Kurdistan Free Life Party, a Kurdish opposition group. The attack occurred inside Iran but has implications for Iraq, where Tehran has previously targeted the same group. Clashes between the IRGC and the Eastern Kurdistan Units have intensified over the last week, with Iran using drones and artillery in mountainous areas.

Iran's Mehr News Agency described the latest operation as a preemptive strike against PJAK members allegedly preparing attacks. These events occur as Zaidi continues to push for a unified state security apparatus, despite the ongoing disputes over airspace and arms.