Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Step Up Attacks on U.S. Military Presence in Middle East

Latest Developments

• Iraqi Militias Attack U.S. Bases in Syria: Three U.S. bases in northeastern Hasakah province came under attack by Iran-backed Iraqi militias between June 14-15, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported. U.S. forces intercepted “several Iranian missiles aimed at their military bases” that were launched from across the border in Iraq, where the militias are based. Iraqi militias have not claimed credit for the attack, while a U.S. defense official neither confirmed nor denied that the event took place, according to a report from FDD’s Long War Journal.  
• Drones Target U.S. Base in Iraq: Three drones targeted Ain al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq, where U.S. troops are stationed, the Associated Press reported on June 14. The drones were intercepted, and no group claimed responsibility for the attack. On June 15, President Donald Trump warned that if Iran attacked U.S. bases “in any way, shape or form,” it would trigger the “full strength and might” of America’s military against the regime.
• Iraqi Militia Warns the U.S.: Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, secretary-general of the Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, released a statement on June 15 warning the United States not to enter the Israel-Iran conflict or risk a military response. Hamidawi said that his organization was monitoring U.S. military movements in the region and would act against American bases in the region if “America intervened in the war.” He also emphasized that the U.S. political and military presence in Iraq was “the clearest and most dangerous threat to Iraq’s security and stability.”

FDD Expert Response

“The Iran-backed Iraqi militias remain a grave threat to U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The fact that the militias have not publicly claimed these attacks indicates that while they want to kill American soldiers, their Iranian masters fear that these operations will provide the United States with a casus belli to enter the conflict on the side of Israel. The U.S. military and the Trump administration have not publicly acknowledged these attacks. Concerningly, Washington has a track record of not responding to militia strikes until U.S. troops have been killed or injured.” — Bill Roggio, FDD Senior Fellow and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Effectively, Iran-backed Iraqi militias are issuing the Trump administration an ultimatum: if you join the Israelis in attacking Iran, we will respond against you. To underscore their warnings, militias have launched limited attacks against bases housing U.S. troops. However, this strategy is risky, as it’s highly likely President Trump will order the U.S. military to retaliate strongly against these terrorist groups if attacks continue to escalate.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“Iran-backed militias attack 3 US bases in Syria,” by Bill Roggio and Joe Truzman

“Iran-backed Shiite militias attack US forces based in Iraq,” by Bill Roggio

“Iraqi militias largely rely on rhetoric in response to Israel-Iran conflict—for now,” by Ahmad Sharawi and Bridget Toomey

“US adds Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Imam Ali to list of terror organizations,” by Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey