Iran-backed militias intensify attacks against US, Israel and allies

"Iran-backed militias around the Middle East are intensifying attacks against Israel, the US and their allies, in retaliation for the ongoing joint US-Israeli offensive against Tehran as the war draws in new armed actors, threatening wider chaos and violence. Israel and the US have targeted Iran's network of militant groups, with Iraq emerging as a key front in this new and often clandestine confrontation."

"The militias are recruited among Iraq's majority Shia community, and follow orders from senior officers from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Since the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq has been a proxy battleground between the US, its allies and Iran, but the country's current leaders have sought to avoid becoming drawn into this new conflict."

"Several Iran-backed armed factions have claimed attacks on the US base at Erbil airport in Iraq's north in recent days. Other drones and missiles have been launched from sites in Iran's western desert at targets in Jordan; while militia in the south fired a missile into Kuwait."

Iran-backed militias are intensifying attacks across the Middle East in response to US-Israeli military operations targeting Iran's militant network. Iraq has emerged as a key front, with militias launching dozens of attacks since the conflict began, targeting Israeli interests and US bases in Jordan and Iraq. These Shia-recruited militias follow orders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The US and Israel are conducting airstrikes and special forces operations to degrade militia capabilities. Iraq's current leadership seeks to avoid direct involvement despite the country's history as a proxy battleground since 2003. Recent attacks include drone and missile strikes on US bases in Erbil, targets in Jordan, and Kuwait. Militias have warned European nations against joining the conflict, threatening their regional forces and bases.

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