Militias Count 171 US Airflights in Iraq After Coalition Exit

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have documented 171 instances of US military aircraft entering Iraqi airspace between September 30 and Friday, October 23. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for these groups, released the count via a statement reported by Rudaw. The figures cover both fighter jets and reconnaissance planes operating after the formal end of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition mission in the country.

The coalition officially ended its military presence in Iraq on September 30. Despite this withdrawal, the militias argue that US air activity persists. They contend that the Iraqi government is accommodating Washington due to external pressure. This stance contrasts with the position of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is pushing to centralize control over weapons held by armed factions.

The militia statement accuses Baghdad of reducing commercial flights and closing border crossings with Iran. The group views these moves as concessions to the United States. The documented 171 flights serve as the central evidence for their claim that US forces remain an active military presence in the region, even as the formal coalition structure has dissolved.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi has set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for the completion of the disarmament process. In an interview with Iraqi state media, he stated that no weapons would remain outside the framework of the state by that date. He described the goal as making Iraq a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of Iraqi security forces. However, the initiative faces resistance from several powerful groups within the militia umbrella.

Attitudes toward the disarmament plan vary among the major factions. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to the government's measures. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate. The split highlights the internal friction within the Iran-backed coalition as they navigate the post-coalition era.

Tensions have escalated alongside warnings from the US State Department regarding security in the region. On Saturday, the US Embassy in Iraq updated its travel advisory, citing increased threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis. The advisory maintained a warning against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports, could lead to wider regional escalation.

The State Department specifically identified armed groups inside Iraq as a source of danger. The advisory stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets listed include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The department warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

US intelligence officials have also reported increased Iranian efforts to target American diplomats. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that some alleged Iranian plots had reached advanced stages. This information was cited by Rudaw, referencing an Axios report. Washington has reduced staffing at several embassies in the region in response to these concerns.

Developments in the region continue to affect the security situation in Iraq. On Saturday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported targeting a gathering center for the Kurdistan Free Life Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group. The attack occurred in Iran but carries implications for Iraq, where Tehran has previously targeted similar groups. Clashes between the IRGC and the party's armed wing have intensified over the past week, with Iran using drones and artillery in the area.