Militias report 171 US jet entries into Iraqi airspace since coalition exit

171. That is the number of times Iran-backed militias in Iraq say US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft entered Iraqi airspace between September 30 and Friday. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for these factions, released the count on Saturday. The group did not provide a method for verifying the data independently.

The coalition formally ended its military mission in Iraq on September 30. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has used that transition to pressure armed groups into surrendering weapons. He extended the deadline for this process to June 30, 2027. Zaidi told Iraqi state media, as quoted by Rudaw, that by that date "no weapons will remain outside the framework of the state." Several powerful factions have rejected the plan, while others have agreed to cooperate.

The militias accuse the Iraqi government of appeasing Washington. They are unhappy that Baghdad has reduced commercial flights and closed border crossings with Iran under US pressure. The accusations come as the group continues to support Iran amid speculation about a new war.

Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to disarmament. Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have expressed willingness to work with government measures. The split creates a fragmented political landscape that complicates Zaidi's efforts to consolidate state control over armed groups.

The US State Department updated its travel advisory on Saturday. It maintained the warning against all travel to Iraq. The advisory cited increasing threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis, including strikes on Saudi civilian airports and critical infrastructure. It warned that hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area.

The department also noted that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against US persons and interests in Iraq. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The advisory stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

US intelligence warned on Friday that Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats have reached advanced stages. A memorandum from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cited by Rudaw, outlined these concerns. Washington is reducing staffing at several embassies in response.

In a related development, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center for the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran on Saturday. Clashes between the IRGC and the group'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.