Zaidi Extends Disarmament Deadline as Militias Count 171 US Air Incursions

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi extended the deadline for militia disarmament to June 30, 2027, during an interview with state media. The new timeline aims to place all weapons under the control of the Iraqi security forces.

The announcement occurred as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) released a report documenting 171 alleged violations of Iraqi airspace by United States aircraft. The umbrella group of Iran-backed militias stated that fighter jets and reconnaissance planes entered the country between September 30 and the previous Friday. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The dispute over airspace violations coincides with the formal end of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition's military mission in Iraq on September 30. Zaidi has sought to use this transition to consolidate state power over armed factions. However, the initiative faces mixed reactions from various militia groups.

According to reports from Rudaw, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to the disarmament effort. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. The IRI criticized the Iraqi government for appeasing Washington, noting that Baghdad has reduced commercial flights and closed border crossings with Iran.

The US State Department issued an updated travel advisory on Saturday, citing increased regional threats. The advisory maintained its warning against all travel to Iraq. It noted that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports, could lead to wider regional escalation. The department warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

The advisory specifically identified threats from armed groups inside Iraq. It stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, conduct attacks against US persons and interests using drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department also warned of increased Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials in the Middle East.

A memorandum dated Friday from US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that some alleged Iranian plots had reached advanced stages. This intelligence briefing comes as Washington reduces staffing at several embassies amid concerns about regional escalation. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported targeting a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran, with clashes intensifying over the last week.