Iraqi Militias Accuse US of 171 Airspace Violations Since Coalition Exit

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have accused the United States of breaching Iraqi airspace 171 times since the US-led anti-ISIS coalition ended its military mission on September 30. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for these groups, documented the incidents involving US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft through Friday. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The accusation intensifies friction between Baghdad and the militias over the disarmament of non-state armed factions. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to bring all weapons under state control, a process he stated would be complete by June 30, 2027. The goal is for no weapons to remain outside the framework of the state, he said in an interview with Iraqi state media. However, powerful factions remain divided on the initiative.

According to reporting by Rudaw, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have rejected the disarmament plan. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. The militias also criticized Baghdad for what they described as appeasing Washington, citing reductions in commercial flights and the closure of border crossings with Iran.

The airspace dispute occurs as the US State Department updates its travel advisory for Iraq. The warning, published Saturday, cites increased threats from Iranian-backed Houthis and terrorist groups, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias. The advisory maintained its recommendation against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, could lead to wider regional escalation.

The State Department warned that terrorists encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests in Iraq. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The advisory specifically mentioned threats involving drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. It stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.

Regional tensions also involve Iranian efforts to target American personnel. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that some alleged Iranian plots to assassinate American diplomats had reached advanced stages. This intelligence follows Washington's reduction of staffing at several embassies amid concerns about escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported targeting a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran. Clashes between the IRGC and the party's armed wing have intensified over the last week, with Iran using drones and artillery against mountainous areas. These developments coincide with Zaidi's insistence that Iraq will soon be a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of Iraqi security forces.