Iraqi militias count 171 US flights since coalition exit

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have documented 171 instances of US military aircraft entering Iraqi airspace since September 30. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), an umbrella organization for several armed groups, released the count in a statement published by Rudaw. The alleged intrusions occurred between the end of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition mission and Friday. US fighter jets and reconnaissance planes were identified in the log, though the figures have not been independently verified.

The accusations coincide with rising friction between Baghdad and the militias. The IRI criticized the Iraqi government for yielding to American pressure, specifically citing the reduction of commercial flights and the closure of border crossings with Iran. The group continues to back Tehran amid speculation about a new regional conflict. The IRI stated that Baghdad is appeasing Washington at the expense of regional balance.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has set a target for June 30, 2027, to bring all weapons under state control. In an interview with Iraqi state media, Zaidi declared that no weapons would remain outside the framework of the state by that date. The initiative faces resistance from key factions. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have rejected the disarmament plan. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have signaled willingness to cooperate with government measures.

Washington has simultaneously tightened its security posture in the region. The US State Department updated its travel advisory for Iraq on Saturday, warning of increased threats from Iranian-backed Houthis. The advisory maintained its recommendation against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports, could trigger wider escalation. The State Department warned that hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area.

The advisory identified specific risks to American citizens and international companies in Iraq. It cited threats from armed groups, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, who use drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

US intelligence has also flagged heightened Iranian activity. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of advanced plots to assassinate American diplomats in the Middle East. The report, cited by Axios and Rudaw, comes as Washington reduces staffing at several embassies. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported targeting a gathering center for the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran, with clashes intensifying over the last week.

Zaidi reiterated his government's goal of ending the presence of armed factions outside state control. He stated that Iraq will soon be a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of the Iraqi security forces. The prime minister's remarks underscore the ongoing effort to consolidate military authority as the coalition transition period concludes.