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Iran says it has agreement with Iraq to expel Kurdish Iranian opposition groups
Iran’s ambassador to Iraq claimed on October 20 that Iraq has agreed to expel Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region. The announcement came amid increased Iranian attacks on these groups and as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party withdraws from positions in northern Iraq as part of a peace process with Turkey. An Iraqi source disputes Tehran’s claim that an expulsion agreement has been reached.
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Iraqi commander killed by Islamic State following Iraqi airstrikes against the group
An Iraqi brigadier general and two other military personnel were killed by an explosive device linked to the Islamic State near Kirkuk on October 14, a day after Iraqi F-16s carried out airstrikes against Islamic State positions in the area. The incident underscores the continued threat posed by the remnants of the jihadist group in northern Iraq, where militants have exploited security gaps.
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Iran targets Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq with new round of drone attacks
Iran launched a new round of drone attacks against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq, including a strike on a Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan camp near Koya on October 12. As Iranian pressure mounts and concerns grow following the US military’s withdrawal from Iraq, Kurdish opposition groups have pledged not to use Iraqi territory to launch attacks on Iran. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani criticized their actions, saying they endanger the region.
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US flag trampling, militia disarmament dispute mark Iraq’s post-US withdrawal era
Iraq is grappling with controversy over the role of Iran-backed militias following the departure of US forces, including an incident in which Popular Mobilization Forces members were photographed driving over an American flag. Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is pushing to bring militia weapons under state control by June 2027, with several factions reportedly agreeing to disarm while others continue to resist.
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Syria faces infrastructure sabotage, Islamic State activity amid utility shortages
Syria has restored a sabotaged gas pipeline near Deir Ezzor and is repairing another line near Damascus as authorities confront threats to the country’s energy infrastructure. The repairs come amid wider challenges, including Islamic State activity and electricity, water, and fuel shortages, even as Syria expands energy trade with Iraq and works to restore regional oil and gas links.
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US forces complete departure from Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq ends
US and other anti-Islamic State coalition forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, ending Operation Inherent Resolve as Baghdad marked what it called a restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. The departure comes amid concerns about Iran-backed militias, air-defense gaps in the Kurdistan Region, and the future of US-Iraq security cooperation.
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Iraq agrees to Turkish base deal as militia disarmament timeline debated
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi has outlined a plan to disarm Iran-backed militias by June 2027 as Baghdad prepares for the withdrawal of US forces. The proposed disarmament timeline coincides with an agreement for Turkey to gradually hand over its Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to Iraq, part of wider efforts to bring armed groups and military facilities under Iraqi state control.
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Kurdistan Region of Iraq announces Peshmerga unification
The Kurdistan Regional Government announced the completion of a years-long process to unify the Peshmerga armed forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, ending longstanding divisions between units linked to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The move comes amid the departure of US forces, pressure to disarm Iran-backed militias, and efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.
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Yazidi armed group YBS to disarm, integrate into Iraqi security forces
The Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS), a Yazidi armed group with links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has agreed to disarm and integrate eligible members into Iraq’s security forces as Baghdad seeks to stabilize Sinjar and facilitate the return of displaced Yazidis. The agreement comes amid broader efforts to disarm Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and parallels integration processes involving the Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria.
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Iraq continues investigating attack on Saudi Arabia from Iraqi territory
Iraq is investigating September 11 drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Crude Oil Pipeline after confirming the attack originated from its territory. The incident comes as Baghdad faces pressure over militia activity and continued Iranian strikes on Kurdish Iranian opposition groups based in northern Iraq.
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Saudi Arabia closes its East-West pipeline after attacks from Iraq
Riyadh announced the closure of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline following drone attacks emanating from Iraq. The pipeline served as a critical oil export alternative to the Persian Gulf after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Iran continues attacks on Kurdish opposition group in northern Iraq
Iran has maintained its campaign against Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, carrying out another drone strike on September 2 amid a US military withdrawal. The latest attack underscores the growing security challenges facing the Kurdistan Region as Iran intensifies pressure on Kurdish dissidents, and Iraq has yet to disarm Iran-backed militias.
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Kurdistan Region concerned over US support amid Iran’s continued attacks
The latest report that the US is cutting funding for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq’s Peshmerga military force comes as Washington prepares to withdraw forces from Iraq and Iran continues its campaign of drone and missile attacks against the KRG.
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Iranian-backed militia in Iraq sets ‘conditions’ for disarmament
Iraq’s efforts to bring the weapons of Iranian-backed militias under state control are facing a new challenge as one of the country’s groups, Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada, has laid out conditions for disarmament. The debate comes amid continued US pressure on Baghdad to disarm the groups, a looming coalition withdrawal deadline, and renewed efforts by the Iraqi government to assert its authority over armed factions.
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Iranian-backed Iraqi militias may seek to delay disarmament
Iraq’s efforts to disarm the country’s Iranian-backed militias appear to be facing growing political resistance as some factions seek to delay or avoid a September deadline. The debate comes as Washington continues pressing Baghdad to bring all weapons under state control.
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Countries condemn Iranian attack on Kurdistan Region prime minister’s office
Iran’s August 17 drone attack targeting the office of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani drew widespread international condemnation. The strike comes as Baghdad faces increasing pressure to rein in Iranian-backed militias and assert state control over their weapons.
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IRGC-Qods Force commander Qaani travels to Iraq amid pressure over militia weapons
Gen. Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), traveled to Iraq as Baghdad moves forward with legislation to place all weapons under state control. The visit came amid continued Iranian drone and missile attacks on Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
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Iraq pressured by regional countries to rein in Iran-backed militias as new data on extent of attacks released
Iraq faces mounting pressure to rein in the militias while balancing tensions with neighboring countries, the US, and Iran. The Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq has come under nearly 1,000 drone and missile attacks by Iran and its proxies since late February, underscoring the growing threat posed by Tehran’s network of militias.
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US, Saudi Arabia strike Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after militia attacks
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia and the Kurdistan Region in late July, prompting US and Saudi airstrikes against militia logistics and weapons sites across Iraq. The escalation comes as Washington pressures Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi to disarm Iran-aligned militias and bring their weapons under state control.
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Syria focuses on energy deals, works to revive infrastructure and institutions
Syria is expanding energy and infrastructure cooperation as it seeks economic recovery and greater regional relevance. Damascus is also rebuilding state institutions, including graduating 1,000 new air force cadets.
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Iran renews attacks on Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in Iraq
Iran has intensified drone and missile attacks on Kurdish Iranian opposition groups and energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq amid renewed tensions with the United States. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is seeking to balance relations with Washington and Tehran after his visit to Washington.
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Iraq sanctions individuals and entities tied to Lebanese Hezbollah
Iraq’s Ministry of Finance issued an order imposing sanctions on Hezbollah-linked individuals and entities that mirrors US designations from March and June. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is currently visiting the United States, where he hopes to garner support for an expanded economic partnership and prove his government’s commitment to countering Iranian influence.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Zaidi meets President Trump, Secretary Hegseth in Washington
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi met US President Donald Trump and other US officials during his first official visit to Washington since taking office. The talks focused on security cooperation, investment, and Iraq’s plans to bring weapons held by Iranian-backed militias under state control. While Trump praised Zaidi’s leadership, the visit also drew criticism from pro-Iranian factions in Iraq and skepticism from some US lawmakers.
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Body of slain Iranian leader Khamenei arrives in Iraq for Najaf and Karbala rites
Iraqi elites received the body of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as his funeral procession toured Iraq’s Shiite holy cities on July 8. Notably, Iraq’s top cleric did not say prayers or attend the ceremony due to stated health reasons.
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Iraq launches corruption crackdown, sets deadline for militia weapons handover
Iraq’s new government launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that resulted in dozens of arrests of politicians and senior officials across the country’s political spectrum. The raids, carried out by elite security forces, are part of Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi’s broader effort to strengthen state institutions and restore public confidence in government.
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As Kurdistan Region seeks drone defenses, Rubio warns Iraq about Iran proxies
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is seeking to acquire air-defense systems following months of missile and drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure and Iranian opposition groups across northern Iraq. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iranian-backed proxies continue to threaten regional stability by launching attacks from Iraqi territory.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi meets US envoy amid militia pressure
US Envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack’s recent visit to Iraq on June 15 highlighted Washington’s efforts to support stability, security cooperation, and political reform in the country amid continuing regional tensions. Discussions focused on strengthening ties between Baghdad and Washington, disarming Iranian-backed militias, and advancing energy deals.
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IDF confirms killing Hezbollah commander responsible for creating Iran-backed militias in Iraq
On June 14, the Israeli military confirmed that it killed Ali Mousa Daqduq, a wanted and dangerous Hezbollah military commander. Daqduq was a key architect of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and a top Hezbollah commander involved in leading attacks inside Israel. He was previously reported killed in the fall of 2024, but his death was never confirmed.
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Iraq’s prime minister prepares US visit amid Iran threats and militia focus
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is set to visit Washington, DC, as his government seeks investment, security cooperation, and support for efforts to strengthen state authority. A central focus of his agenda is bringing weapons held by Iranian-backed militias under government control, a process Baghdad hopes to advance before the planned end of the US anti-Islamic State mission in September 2026.
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Several Iranian-backed militias in Iraq say they accept state control of weapons
Iraq’s new government is attempting to bring weapons held by Iranian-backed militias under state control, a move that could reshape the role of armed groups linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Several militias have announced plans to place their arms under government authority and disengage from the PMF, while others remain opposed or have issued mixed signals.
