Radical Iraqi militia threatens to expand operations amid Israeli-Lebanese tensions
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) has threatened to rapidly expand its operations if Israel initiates a large-scale war against Lebanon.
"Following Israeli and US threats to launch a widespread war against Lebanon, the Iraqi Resistance has decided that if Israel implements the threat, they will immediately launch their operations," the IRI said in a statement.
The statement further warned that "US interests in Iraq and the region will be a legitimate target for the resistance fighters."
The IRI emphasized the need for a firm stance against the "massacres and genocides in Palestine," and condemned the support for "Israeli followers with Iraqi oil and money."
The IRI also threatened to resume attacks on US forces and interests in Iraq if Israel attacks Lebanese Hezbollah.
They specified that in such an event, direct attacks on US military bases and interests in Iraq would recommence. The Basra-Aqaba oil export pipeline, which the IRI claims has no economic benefits for Iraq, was mentioned as a potential target.
Amid these tensions, reports by Open Source Intelligence Monitor (OSINT Monitor) have emerged that the US administration has requested the Iraqi government to close the country's airspace to Iranian planes headed to Syria and Lebanon, suspecting they are transporting weapons and ammunition.
The United States has reportedly requested that Iraq order a Closure of its Airspace to Iranian Cargo Planes that are heading to Syria and Lebanon, which are likely carrying Equipment, Munitions, and Personnel for Hezbollah as well as other Iranian-Backed Forces.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 29, 2024
Read More: US and Europe warn Lebanon's Hezbollah to ease strikes on Israel and back off from wider Mideast war
On Tuesday June 25, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada' (KSS), also known as the Master of Martyrs Battalions, declared that forces from the Axis of Resistance across multiple countries are prepared to join the fight if Israel launches an offensive against southern Lebanon.
Read More: Radical Iraqi militia vows support for Lebanon in event of Israeli attack
Following the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023, there were nearly 200 drone and missile attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria.
In response, Iraqi militia groups, calling themselves the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, signed a ceasefire with US forces in February, halting the attacks.
This ceasefire was also influenced by US air force bombings of militia bases and armed centers in the al-Bukamal region of Syria and inside Iraq.