Iraqi Militias: 171 US Air Breaches Since Coalition Exit

The US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its military mission in Iraq on September 30, but tensions between Baghdad and Iran-backed militias continue to escalate over the presence of American aircraft.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, claims to have documented 171 violations of Iraqi airspace by US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft between September 30 and Friday, according to a report by Rudaw. The group stated that it is still supporting Iran and issued the count amid speculation about a possible new war. The allegations were not independently verified.

The accusations come as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi seeks to bring militia weapons under state control. Zaidi extended the deadline for disarmament to June 30, 2027. He told Iraqi state media that no weapons should remain outside the framework of the state by that date. Several powerful factions have rejected the initiative, while others have agreed to cooperate.

According to Rudaw, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to disarmament. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. The militias also accused Baghdad of appeasing the United States due to Washington’s pressure on Iraq. They expressed dissatisfaction that Baghdad has reduced commercial flights and closed border crossings with Iran.

The US State Department updated its travel advisory for Iraq on Saturday, maintaining a warning against all travel. The advisory cited increased threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis and terrorist groups in Iraq. It noted that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, could lead to wider regional escalation. The State Department 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, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department warned that militias threaten American citizens and international companies using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices.

Other regional developments involving Iran and its backed groups are also unfolding. US intelligence warned of increased Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that some alleged Iranian plots had reached advanced stages. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a gathering center belonging to the Kurdistan Free Life Party, a Kurdish opposition group, in Iran.