Iraqi Militias Report 171 US Air Intrusions Since Coalition Withdrawal

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, reported that 171 US military aircraft entered Iraqi airspace without authorization between September 30 and October 23. The count includes fighter jets and reconnaissance planes operating after the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its mission in the country on September 30. The group stated that the flights violate sovereign airspace, though independent observers have not yet verified the specific number or types of aircraft involved.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has tied this dispute to his government’s effort to centralize military power. He extended the deadline for militias to place their weapons under state control to June 30, 2027. In an interview with Iraqi state media, Zaidi said, “No weapons will remain outside the framework of the state” by that date. His administration views the end of the coalition mission as the moment to transition authority from armed factions to official security forces.

The disarmament plan faces resistance from key militia leaders. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have rejected the initiative, arguing that their weapons are necessary to confront threats from Washington and Israel. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. Zaidi stated that Iraq will soon be a state free of factions, with weapons held exclusively by Iraqi security forces.

Tensions have risen because Baghdad has reduced commercial flights and closed border crossings with Iran under pressure from the US. The militias accused the Iraqi government of appeasing Washington, which they see as weakening their position. The group issued the airspace report amid speculation about a new war with Iran, framing the US flights as evidence that the military presence continues despite the formal end of the coalition’s mission.

US officials are monitoring the situation closely. The State Department updated its travel advisory on Saturday, citing increased regional threats. It warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence. The advisory noted that armed groups inside Iraq, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against American persons and interests using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices.

The State Department specifically flagged the threat from the Iranian-backed Houthis, noting that strikes on Saudi Arabian airports and critical infrastructure could lead to wider regional escalation. “The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the department said. It maintained the existing warning against all travel to Iraq, listing airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities as potential targets.

Separate intelligence reports add to the sense of urgency. A memorandum dated October 23 from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iranian plots to assassinate American diplomats have reached advanced stages. Washington has responded by reducing staffing at several embassies. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported targeting a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran, a move that could impact security dynamics in neighboring Iraq.

The IRGC said it used drones and artillery against mountainous areas where the Kurdish opposition group operates. Mehr News Agency described the operation as a preemptive strike against members allegedly preparing attacks. These developments occur as Zaidi insists on ending the presence of armed factions outside state control, aiming to stabilize the region before any further escalation from the north.