171 US Flights Logged in Iraq

US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft flew 171 times in Iraqi airspace between September 30 and October 23. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-backed militias, released the count on Friday. The group says the flights violated national sovereignty after the US-led anti-ISIS coalition ended its mission. The coalition formally concluded its operations in Iraq on September 30.

The militias also criticized the Iraqi government for appeasing Washington. They point to recent reductions in commercial flights and the closing of border crossings with Iran. The IRI statement comes as speculation grows about a new war with Iran. The group maintains its support for Tehran despite the military withdrawal.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is using the coalition's departure to bring militia weapons under state control. He set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for the process. Zaidi told Iraqi state media that no weapons should remain outside the state framework by that date. He added that Iraq aims to become a state free of factions, with weapons held only by security forces.

Reactions to the disarmament plan are split among the groups. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to handing over their arms. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have agreed to cooperate. This division creates friction as the government moves forward with its timeline.

The US State Department updated its travel advisory for Iraq on Saturday. The notice cites increased regional threats, particularly from the Iranian-backed Houthis. It warns that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could lead to wider escalation. The advisory maintains a warning against all travel to the country.

The State Department noted that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee safety against sudden violence. It specifically identified ISIS and Iran-aligned militias as threats to US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The advisory lists drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices as common attack methods.

US intelligence officials have also flagged a rise in Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats. A memorandum from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that some plots had reached advanced stages. Washington is reducing staffing at several embassies in response to these concerns.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran. The attack occurred on Saturday and follows intensified clashes with the group's armed wing over the last week. Iran used drones and artillery in the mountainous areas where these Kurdish fighters operate.