Iraqi militia groups, under the banner of the Islamic Resistance, have announced carrying out 16 drone attacks targeting “enemy bases in Iraq and the region” in response to airstrikes conducted by the United States and Israel against the Iranian regime. These airstrikes, which occurred on February 28, reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking members of Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, the Iranian government unleashed a significant wave of drone and missile strikes that targeted U.S. military bases in Iraq, Israel, and allied Gulf nations. Reports suggest that Iran-backed militias have also engaged in offensive operations, with Islamic Resistance claiming to have deployed dozens of drones to execute attacks, although specific targets were not detailed in their statement. Notable military installations, such as the Basrah Operations Command and the Imam Ali base in Dhi Qar, experienced strikes on the same day, believed to be linked to either Iranian forces or Iraqi militia activities.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has seen multiple interceptions of drones and missiles, particularly around the area housing the U.S. consulate and military installations. The militia group Saraya Awliya al Dam has claimed responsibility for attacking U.S. personnel at Erbil International Airport using drones.
Tensions continue to escalate as the Iran-backed Shiite militias express their disdain for the Kurdistan Regional Government due to its U.S. affiliations. Historical context is crucial here, as these groups have previously intensified their assaults against American and Israeli targets during significant regional conflicts, including the recent war in Gaza.
Several militia leaders have publicly voiced their support for Iran, memorializing Khamenei and threatening ongoing military actions against U.S. interests in Iraq. Leaders like Akram al Kaabi of Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba have called for their fighters to join the fray, stressing a commitment to action rather than rhetoric. Similarly, Abu Ala al Walae of Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada insisted that Iranian military actions were justified, framing them as necessary responses against American positions and personnel in the region.
In Baghdad, protests erupted in the Green Zone, a heavily fortified area that includes the U.S. embassy, where demonstrators carried flags of pro-Iran militias in response to the recent American airstrikes and the death of Khamenei.
In a related development, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which includes numerous Iran-backed militias, reported an airstrike in Iraq attributed to an unknown party that resulted in casualties among its ranks. The attack occurred in Jurf al-Nasr, north of Babil province, leading to speculation that U.S. or Israeli forces may have been responsible.
The situation in Iraq remains volatile as these militias continue to escalate their threats and hostilities, demonstrating an ongoing pattern of conflict that could potentially involve more extensive military engagements in the near future. The dynamics between these groups, regional governments, and foreign powers are central to understanding the potential for further unrest in the region.