171 US aircraft logged in Iraq after coalition exit

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has logged 171 entries of US aircraft into Iraqi airspace since the anti-ISIS coalition ended its mission.

The umbrella group released the count on Friday, covering the period from September 30 through the following week. The organization stated that US fighter jets and reconnaissance planes violated national borders during this timeframe. The group did not provide independent verification for the figures.

The accusations landed as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi moves to consolidate state control over militia weapons. Several powerful factions have rejected this initiative, creating friction between Baghdad and the armed groups. The government aims to enforce the plan by June 2027. Some factions, including Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, have agreed to cooperate with the measures. Others, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, remain opposed to the disarmament effort.

Zaidi told Iraqi state media that the deadline is set for June 30, 2027. He stated that "no weapons will remain outside the framework of the state" by that date. In a separate interview quoted by Rudaw on Friday, Zaidi said, "Iraq will soon, God willing, be a state free of factions, like other countries in the world, and weapons will be exclusively in the hands of the Iraqi security forces." The militias have criticized Baghdad for appeasing Washington, citing reduced commercial flights and closed border crossings with Iran as evidence of US pressure.

The US State Department issued an updated travel advisory on Saturday. The document cites increased regional threats that could impact security in Iraq. It specifically references attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure. The advisory maintains the warning against all travel to Iraq. It notes that "the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict." The State Department also warned that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against US persons and interests in Iraq. Potential targets listed in the advisory include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities.

US intelligence has also warned of increased Iranian efforts to target American diplomats. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that some alleged plots had reached advanced stages. Washington is reducing staffing at several embassies in response to these concerns. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran on Saturday. Clashes between the IRGC and the party's armed wing have intensified over the last week, with Iran using drones and artillery in mountainous areas.

The next major step for the Iraqi government is the implementation of the disarmament framework. The process is scheduled to be fully effective by June 2027, though specific milestones for the coming months have not been detailed in the available reports.