Iraq Faces Regional Backlash as Iran-Aligned Militias Launch Gulf Strikes

 Baghdad struggles to contain proxy attacks as Arab states warn of sovereignty violations and self-defence rights

            Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces: From Liability to National Asset

Sulaimanyah, Iraq, March 30 Kurdish Policy Analysis— Iraq is facing mounting diplomatic pressure from its Arab neighbours as Iran-aligned armed groups operating on its territory intensify cross-border drone and missile attacks on Gulf states, raising fears of regional escalation amid the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In recent weeks, Iraq’s western deserts have increasingly served as a launchpad for strikes targeting the Arabian Peninsula, according to regional officials and analysts. The attacks, carried out under the banner of the so-called “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” have placed Baghdad in a precarious position, struggling to balance its internal security challenges with its fragile regional relationships.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan issued a joint statement condemning the attacks, describing them as a “blatant violation” of sovereignty and international law. The countries cited United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, calling for an immediate halt to such operations, and emphasized their right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The coordinated response signals a rare moment of unified Arab pressure on Baghdad, whose relations with Gulf states had gradually improved in recent years after decades of tension.

Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded a day later, stressing that the security of Arab nations is “an integral part” of Iraq’s own national security. The government rejected the use of its territory for attacks on neighbouring countries and said it was taking necessary measures in line with the constitution and legal frameworks.

Baghdad also expressed its willingness to cooperate with regional partners, inviting them to provide intelligence or evidence regarding the attacks to enable a “swift and responsible” response.

However, analysts say the government’s statements may not reflect realities on the ground.

Majed al-Qaisi, a retired Iraqi major-general, estimated that Iran-aligned groups are conducting between 21 and 31 operations daily against targets in the Gulf and Jordan. Since the outbreak of the wider regional conflict on February 28, these factions have reportedly carried out more than 450 operations, creating sustained psychological and economic pressure on Gulf infrastructure.

“This is less about isolated incidents and more about a structured campaign of attrition,” al-Qaisi said, adding that Baghdad’s response appears largely reactive and aimed at limiting diplomatic fallout.

Tehran, for its part, maintains that its military actions are directed at United States bases in the region. Gulf officials, however, point to repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, industrial sites and hospitality sectors, as evidence of a broader targeting strategy.

Regional experts argue that Iran’s reliance on Iraqi-based armed groups reflects a deliberate shift toward proxy warfare.

Khaled al-Jaber, director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in Doha, said the use of non-state actors allows Iran to maintain pressure on adversaries while avoiding direct accountability under international law.

“Iran is not stepping back from confrontation,” al-Jaber said. “It is recalibrating — using tools that lower the political cost while maintaining strategic leverage.”

The evolving tactic, he added, complicates deterrence by blurring lines of responsibility and testing the limits of Gulf states’ restraint.

For Iraq, the implications extend beyond foreign policy into questions of sovereignty and state authority.

Ahmed Abdel Mohsen al-Mulaifi, a former Kuwaiti minister, warned that the presence of armed groups operating outside government control undermines Iraq’s status as a fully sovereign state. He argued that Tehran’s regional strategy relies on proxies in Iraq and elsewhere to diffuse pressure while expanding its operational reach.

The risk of further escalation remains high. Analysts warn that any expansion of the conflict — including the possibility of a direct ground confrontation involving Iran — could trigger the activation of additional proxy fronts from Iraqi territory, potentially along the borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

As aerial projectiles continue to cross Iraqi skies toward neighbouring states, Baghdad faces a narrowing window to assert control and prevent a deeper regional rupture.

Diplomatic assurances alone, observers say, may not be sufficient to reassure increasingly frustrated allies.

#Iraq #Iran #MiddleEast #GulfCrisis #ProxyWar #Geopolitics #BreakingNews #ArabWorld #Security #IranMilitias