Iraq is more and more caught between the US and Iran because the regional battle escalates, deepening financial woes.
Printed On 23 Mar 2026
Air strikes have focused the headquarters of the Iran-aligned Well-liked Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, because the nation turns into a two-way battlefield between armed factions and the US amid its ongoing battle with Iran.
The US carried out strikes towards the Shia umbrella group, additionally identified domestically as Hashed al-Shaabi, late on Sunday after assaults on a US diplomat and logistics centre at Baghdad Worldwide Airport.
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“Models of the PMF had been focused by drone strikes and airstrikes, with three strikes in numerous places,” an announcement from an area emergency disaster cell mentioned, including that there have been no wounded because the positions had been abandoned.
This got here after Iraqi safety officers mentioned 4 explosions had been heard close to the US’ Camp Victory logistics centre on the capital’s principal airport. Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig, reporting from Baghdad, mentioned some drones “breached air defences and precipitated harm, extra symbolic harm than anything.”
“On the identical time, Iraqi safety forces have arrange checkpoints round Baghdad to attempt to cease these drone strikes as a result of a few of these factions are launching drones from the neighborhood of Baghdad,” he mentioned.
Beig added that such assaults put native authorities “in a really troublesome place, attempting to steadiness the connection with the US and these very highly effective armed teams.”
Nicolas Haque, additionally reporting from Iraq’s capital, mentioned Iraqis don’t wish to be dragged into the battle with Iran, which started on February 28 after the US and Israel launched joint air strikes.
“They’re caught between Iran, a rustic they share their largest land border with, and the US,” he mentioned. “So they’re in a tricky and troublesome place with having so many Iran-backed [armed groups] contained in the nation and seeing this escalation of violence.
Financial worries additionally weigh closely after Iraq’s Oil Ministry final week introduced a case of pressure majeure on all oilfields developed by overseas oil firms, citing disruptions to navigation by the Strait of Hormuz that halted many of the nation’s crude exports.
“Iraq depends on that income,” Haque mentioned. “That’s 90 % of its revenues, in order that’s going to have an effect on folks.”
“So, they really feel very weak, caught on this battle between the US, Israel, and Iran,” he added.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to assault Iran’s energy crops if freedom of navigation on the key waterway was not absolutely restored in 48 hours.
The PMF is a part of Iraq’s common armed forces but in addition contains some pro-Iranian teams. Professional-Iran armed teams have claimed duty for assaults on US pursuits in Iraq and throughout the area, whereas strikes have additionally focused these teams.
The umbrella group was shaped in 2014 to struggle ISIL (ISIS), when Ayatollah Ali Sistani issued a fatwa urging residents to take up arms to defend the nation. Since then, the PMF has come beneath the authority of the Iraqi navy and obtain state funding.
Over the weekend, a drone strike on the headquarters of the Iraqi Nationwide Intelligence Service within the coronary heart of capital Baghdad killed one police officer.
The constructing housed an Iraqi safety company that works with US advisers in Iraq on safety issues.
In a single day from Friday to Saturday, at the very least three drone assaults focused the Camp Victory logistics hub at Baghdad’s airport.
The Pentagon acknowledged for the primary time on Thursday that fight helicopters had carried out strikes towards pro-Iran armed teams in Iraq in the course of the newest battle with Iran.
