171 US Flights Logged in Iraq Since Coalition Exit

Iran-backed militias in Iraq stated on Friday that they recorded 171 instances of US military aircraft violating Iraqi airspace. The count covers the period from September 30 through Friday, the same day the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally concluded its mission in the country. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the umbrella organization for these groups, released the figures without independent verification. The declaration was issued while the group expressed continued support for Iran amid speculation of a new regional conflict.

The militia coalition also accused the Iraqi government of accommodating US demands. They criticized Baghdad for reducing commercial flights and closing border crossings with Iran. According to Rudaw, the group believes these concessions are a direct result of Washington’s pressure on the state. The accusations add friction to an already tense transition period as the coalition withdraws.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is using the end of the coalition’s mission to enforce state control over militia weapons. He set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for the initiative to take full effect. In an interview with Iraqi state media, Zaidi said that by that date, no weapons would remain outside the framework of the state. He described the goal as making Iraq a state free of factions, with weapons held exclusively by the Iraqi security forces.

The disarmament plan faces uneven support among the armed groups. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to handing over their arsenals. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have indicated they are willing to cooperate with the government measures. The split within the militia camp leaves the central government’s timeline at risk.

The US Embassy in Iraq updated its travel advisory on Saturday, citing increased threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis. The State Department warned that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, could lead to wider regional escalation. The advisory maintained its warning against all travel to Iraq, noting that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

The department specifically identified armed groups inside Iraq as threats. It stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The advisory noted that these groups use drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices in their operations.

Separate intelligence reports suggest the US is concerned about Iranian plots against its diplomats. A memorandum from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio dated Friday warned that some alleged plots had reached advanced stages. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a PJAK gathering center in Iran. Clashes between the IRGC and PJAK’s armed wing, the Eastern Kurdistan Units, have intensified over the last week using drones and artillery.