Caught in the crossfire, Iraq becomes battlefield in US-Israel war on Iran

Iraq has rapidly been drawn into the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran since the joint assault on Tehran began on the morning of February 28.

“BAGHDAD Iraq, which had only recently begun regaining a measure of stability after decades of conflict, has rapidly been drawn into the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran”

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Iraqi airspace has become a theatre for multiple forms of warfare: air strikes have hit bases used by Iran-aligned militias, attacks have targeted US interests, and Iran has launched cross-border strikes against Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq.

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Neither the United States nor Israel has confirmed carrying out strikes on Iraqi territory since the start of the war, despite accusations from militia groups.

Pro-Iranian factions in Iraq declared they would not remain neutral and began attacking US bases using drones soon after the campaign began.

Bases used by these militias have been struck in retaliatory attacks, which the groups accuse the United States and Israel of carrying out.

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Several of these factions operate within brigades of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, which are formally integrated into Iraq’s security apparatus but often act independently.

Those factions include Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Kataib Imam Ali, which belong to the Iran-aligned alliance known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

Since the outbreak of the war the alliance has announced daily drone and missile strikes on "enemy bases" without specifying targets.

Baghdad International Airport, which hosts a military facility used by a US embassy logistical support team, has been repeatedly targeted.

“BAGHDAD Iraq, which had only recently begun regaining a measure of stability after decades of conflict, has rapidly been drawn into the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran”

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Air defences at the US embassy in Baghdad intercepted rockets fired towards the compound on Saturday evening.

Oil fields operated by foreign companies, including US firms, have been shelled in Basra and in the Kurdistan region.

In Erbil, air defences have been intercepting drones over the city on a near-daily basis.

Washington warned that Iran-aligned Iraqi militias might target hotels frequented by foreigners after at least two hotels came under attack.

The Kurdistan region hosts camps and bases belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition factions that Tehran has repeatedly targeted.

Since the war began, Iran has stepped up strikes against these groups.

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Five factions, including the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, announced the formation of a political alliance aimed at overthrowing Iran's ruling system and securing Kurdish self-determination.

Amir Karimi, a leader in the Kurdistan Free Life Party, said, "The Americans are present in the region and we have held discussions with them."

Media reports suggested Kurdish opposition fighters could launch a ground offensive into Iran with US support, but US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, "We’re very friendly with the Kurds, as you know, but we don't want to make the war any more complex than it already is. I have ruled that out, I don't want the Kurds going in."

The media reports of a possible US-backed offensive and US President Donald Trump's denial are contradictory.

Iran warned it would target 'all facilities' in Iraqi Kurdistan if fighters crossed into its territory.

Authorities in Baghdad and Erbil have stressed Iraqi territory will not be used as a launch pad.

Late on Saturday Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani ordered security forces to pursue those responsible for firing projectiles near the US embassy compound and said targeting diplomatic missions 'is an act that cannot be justified or accepted under any circumstances.'

Kurdish security forces in the region have used drones to monitor and strike suspected militant activity after reports suggested the region might support an incursion, a claim the authorities there have categorically denied.