Iran-backed Iraqi militias condemn US interference, threaten action

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee, an umbrella group of Iran-aligned militias including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, issued a stern condemnation of the United States on Wednesday, accusing Washington of direct interference in Iraq’s political affairs and violations of the country’s sovereignty. The statement also warned of potential retaliatory measures, highlighting ongoing tensions between pro-Iran factions and the US.

The nature of relations between Baghdad and Washington does not reflect equality between sovereign states, the committee said. “The United States continues to meddle in Iraq’s internal affairs, even deciding which political figures are allowed to assume government positions.”

The statement underscored that the conflict is not merely about who governs the country, but also about “who sets the rules of administration.” While the United States reportedly seeks an “institutionalised Iraq” aligned with its financial and political standards, the militias advocate for a “sovereign Iraq” in which they can operate freely without international oversight.

On January 24, the Coordination Framework announced its nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, widely viewed as close to Iran, for the premiership, following the results of the November 2025 parliamentary elections. In response, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington might halt support for Iraq should Maliki assume office.

The militias further claimed that “the American occupation continues to violate Iraqi airspace, whether through drones or warplanes,” describing such actions as a “serious security threat undermining the country’s stability and territorial integrity, and a blatant violation of sovereignty and national dignity.”

They accused the US of failing to honour previous agreements, stating: “We have not observed any concrete steps by the United States to implement the remainder of the accord concluded with the Iraqi government, which stipulates the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraqi land and skies.”

The statement concluded with a warning: continued evasion and delay by Washington “leaves us with no choice but to assume our legal and moral responsibilities in taking positions that preserve the dignity of our people and their legitimate right to end the occupation, if US forces insist on maintaining their presence and imposing their will on the country.”

The US-Iraq relationship has been formally governed since September 2024 by a two-phase plan to conclude the international coalition’s military mission against the Islamic State group (ISIS), under which foreign forces are to withdraw from Iraq in stages. Phase one, completed by September 2025, included ending coalition combat operations and handing over bases, while phase two, extending to September 2026, allows continued coalition operations in Syria from Iraqi territory under strict coordination.

A senior White House official reiterated Washington’s opposition to Maliki’s nomination, stating that “a government controlled by Iran cannot put Iraq’s interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.”

Meanwhile, sources within Iraq’s Coordination Framework told Shafaq News that the US had extended the deadline for withdrawing Maliki’s nomination to February 27. However, Maliki reportedly has no intention of stepping aside, and any reversal would have to come from the bloc that nominated him.

The statement and ongoing tensions highlight the growing friction between US policy in Iraq and Iran-aligned militia ambitions, raising the risk of political deadlock or even armed escalation.