Zaidi Faces Militia Resistance as 171 US Flights Logged in Iraq

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, accused the United States of breaching Iraqi airspace 171 times between September 30 and October 23. The group issued the claim via a statement reported by Rudaw, citing fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. The allegations have not been independently verified but intensify friction between Baghdad and armed factions as the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its mission on September 30.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is attempting to use the coalition's departure to centralize control over militia weaponry. The government aims to have all weapons under state framework by June 30, 2027. Zaidi stated in an interview with Iraqi state media that Iraq will become a state where weapons are exclusively in the hands of security forces. However, the disarmament initiative faces a split among the armed groups it targets.

Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have rejected the plan to disarm, while Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate. The militias also criticized the Iraqi government for appeasing Washington, pointing to the reduction of commercial flights and the closure of border crossings with Iran. The IRI continues to support Iran amid speculation of a new regional conflict.

The US State Department issued a travel advisory on Saturday, warning of increased threats to American citizens and interests in Iraq. The advisory noted that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports, could lead to wider escalation. It stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee safety against sudden outbreaks of violence. Potential targets for attacks by armed groups include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities.

Washington is also adjusting its diplomatic posture in response to regional tensions. A memorandum from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, dated October 23, warned of advanced Iranian plots to assassinate American diplomats. This intelligence led to staffing reductions at several embassies. The US Embassy in Iraq maintained its warning against all travel, citing specific threats from ISIS and Iran-aligned militias who use drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices.

Regional conflicts further complicate the situation in Iraq. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, in a preemptive strike. Clashes with the group's armed wing have intensified over the past week, with Iran using drones and artillery in mountainous areas. These developments underscore the link between internal Iraqi security and broader Iranian regional strategies.