171 US flights logged in Iraqi airspace since coalition exit

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has documented 171 violations of Iraqi airspace by US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. The count spans the period from September 30 through Friday of this week. The umbrella group of Iran-backed militias released the figures via a statement reported by Rudaw. The allegations have not been independently verified. The report arrives as Washington and Baghdad face rising friction over military presence and security threats.

The timeline for the dispute began on September 30. On that date, the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its military mission in Iraq. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has used the transition to push for state control over militia weapons. Several powerful factions have rejected this initiative. Some groups have agreed to the policy, while others have refused. The government aims to complete this consolidation by June 30, 2027.

Zaidi extended the deadline for disarmament to that date. He told Iraqi state media, quoted by Rudaw, that no weapons will remain outside the framework of the state by then. The prime minister emphasized that Iraq will soon be a state free of factions. He said weapons will be exclusively in the hands of Iraqi security forces. This stance contrasts with the position of several Iran-backed groups that view their arms as a buffer against Washington and Israel.

Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to disarmament. They cite the need to counter US pressure and protect regional interests. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to cooperate. These groups support government measures to centralize military assets. The split among militias complicates the implementation of Zaidi’s plan.

The US State Department issued an updated travel advisory on Saturday. It cited increasing regional threats that could affect security in Iraq. The warning specifically noted the threat of increased attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis. It also highlighted terrorist threats from groups inside Iraq. The advisory maintained the existing warning against all travel to the country.

The State Department warned that Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia could lead to wider escalation. It noted that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden violence. The advisory identified airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities as potential targets. Drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices are listed as common methods of attack.

US intelligence has also flagged heightened 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 plots have reached advanced stages. Washington is reducing staffing at several embassies in response. This development coincides with intensified clashes between the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Kurdistan Free Life Party in western Iran.

The IRGC reported targeting a PJAK gathering center on Saturday. It described the operation as a preemptive strike against members preparing attacks. Clashes between the IRGC and PJAK’s armed wing, the Eastern Kurdistan Units, have intensified over the last week. Iran used drones and artillery against mountainous areas where the Kurdish fighters operate. These actions underscore the volatile security environment surrounding Iraq’s border.