Iraqi PMF
Popular Mobilization Forces
Assessment
PMF/Shia militia groups have intensified attacks on US assets in Iraq as the conflict enters day 5. The 'Guardians of the Blood Brigade' claim of attacking Victory Base near Baghdad airport, combined with 23+ drone strikes in Erbil, represents significant operational activity. These groups are functioning as Iran's proxy force in Iraq despite their own casualties. The US embassy closure in Kuwait and evacuation authorisations suggest these proxy attacks are achieving their harassment objective.
Current posture
“'Guardians of the Blood Brigade' claims responsibility for drone strikes on US assets in Iraq.”
- •Drone targeting US embassy logistics facility near Baghdad International Airport
- •Over 23 drone strikes claimed against US assets in Erbil by 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq'
- •Drone strike on Sulaimaniyah building (Kurdish region)
- •Kataib Hezbollah confirmed 2 fighters killed in US-Israeli strikes on Jurf al-Sakher
Recent actions
Asaib Ahl al-Haq arms depot struck near Al-Suwaira, southeast Baghdad — attributed to US/Israel. 1 woman killed by shrapnel in nearby town, 1 seriously wounded. Ongoing USIL campaign against Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups.
Hamas congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei, aligning with Iran axis. Palestinian Islamic Jihad also welcomes new supreme leader. Gaza front quiet while Iran-Lebanon-Gulf fronts dominate operational picture.
109 incidents of West Bank settler violence in first 10 days — 5 Palestinians killed by settlers, none arrested (Yesh Din NGO). PMF watching Lebanon and Iran fronts for escalation signals.
Iraqi government maintaining neutrality while PMF factions absorb US strikes. Iraqi PM Sudani continues airspace negotiations with Rubio. PMF quiet operationally on Day 12 — reduced tempo since earlier Iraq base attacks.
IRGC strike on Al-Harir Air Base in Kurdistan likely used Iraqi territory as staging or transit for the ballistic missiles — whether directly IRGC or PMF-facilitated. Iraqi PM Sudani's protest call to Rubio confirms Iraq's territory is being used. PMF provides logistics, targeting support, and political cover for IRGC operations in Iraq.
PMF controls security around Basra and Iraq's southern oil export infrastructure. Iraq has already cut 2.9M barrels/day — partly due to Hormuz closure and partly to active disruption. PMF could further threaten Basra oil terminal operations if it chooses to expand economic pressure on the US-led coalition.
PMF's attacks on US forces from Iraqi soil force PM Sudani into an impossible position: condemn the attacks (alienating his coalition partners) or stay silent (risking US retaliation on Iraqi soil). Sudani's call to Rubio pleading Iraqi neutrality reflects Baghdad's desperation. PMF has effectively made Iraq a battlefield regardless of government policy.
PMF-aligned factions continue rocket attacks on US Embassy Baghdad and military positions — air defense systems intercepting rockets almost daily. Alongside the IRGC's Al-Harir strike, creates a multi-vector threat to US forces across Iraq. Iraqi security forces are unable or unwilling to stop the attacks.
Iraqi government issues emergency economic declaration — oil production at 1.3M bpd (70% collapse); cabinet convenes crisis session
Low-level operations against US logistics in Iraq continued. Not covered by Iran's Gulf ceasefire. Iraqi theatre remains active at reduced tempo.
Monitoring Iranian succession closely — new supreme leader's inclination toward de-escalation or continued fight will directly determine PMF's operational mandate.
Iraqi government walking difficult line between PMF pressure and US relationship. PMF operations constrained by Iraqi government's desire to avoid full US-Iraq confrontation.
PMF factions in Iraq continue low-level operations against US logistics infrastructure. Gulf ceasefire does not apply to Iraqi theatre — Iran's proxy network remains active north of the Gulf.
PMF-affiliated factions continue drone strikes at Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq. US Patriot intercepts all. Iraqi PM calls for de-escalation but PMF ignores.
Iran-backed factions strike US coalition base at Erbil airport and HKN Energy oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan. Front expands beyond traditional PMF operating areas into Kurdish-controlled territory.
PMF leadership in Baghdad meeting to coordinate with Iranian liaison officers. Next action phase reportedly under discussion.
PMF leadership threatened to close Iraqi airspace to US military aircraft. Iraqi federal government has not endorsed the threat.
Mobilising additional forces in Basra and near Kuwait border. Possibly preparing to threaten land routes to Camp Arifjan.
Fired rockets at Kurdish positions near Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq — direct retaliation for Kurdish militia cross-border operations into Iran.
Drone strikes on US base at Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq. 2 US service members lightly wounded. CENTCOM: 'We hold the PMF and Iran responsible.'
Event responses
Kataib Hezbollah source: Jurf al-Nasr base was struck. 2 fighters killed, 5 wounded. The resistance factions will not allow this aggression to go unanswered.
'Islamic Resistance in Iraq' claims 23+ drone strikes on US assets in Erbil. 'Guardians of the Blood Brigade' hit Victory Base.
PMF: 'Any Kurdish forces crossing from Iraq into Iran will be treated as enemy combatants. We have deployed to the border.'
Iran-backed factions claim attacks on US coalition base at Erbil airport. Operations against US forces in Iraq will continue until American forces leave the region.
Iran-backed factions struck US military infrastructure at Baghdad airport and Basra energy facilities. Operations against American presence in Iraq will continue until all US forces leave.
PMF-aligned drones and rockets attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad Green Zone — Day 18 escalation from airport to diplomatic compound.
PMF-linked factions struck Baghdad International Airport with five rockets, targeting the US diplomatic facility. Four airport staff and one engineer wounded.
Iran-aligned militia forces launched drone attack on US diplomatic facility in Iraq.
Iran-aligned militia forces in Iraq attacked the Italian coalition base in Erbil as part of ongoing targeting of Western military facilities.
Ashab Alkahf warned that French interests in Iraq and the region will be under targeting fire following the arrival of a French aircraft carrier.
The resistance factions struck the US Embassy helipad in Baghdad in direct response to American aggression against Iran. US forces are not safe anywhere in the region.
The assassination of our brother in Baghdad is a cowardly act of terror. The resistance will respond. Every martyr strengthens our resolve. US and Israeli forces will pay for these crimes.
The bombardment of civilian homes in Baghdad is a war crime. The resistance will avenge every martyr. American and Israeli forces conducting strikes inside Iraq will be targeted everywhere.
Good. American occupiers and their allies should leave Iraq. Iraq is not America's military base. Our operations will continue until all US forces and citizens associated with the aggression against Iran depart voluntarily or otherwise.
The martyr Abu Ali al-Amiri gave his life in defense of Iraq and the resistance axis. His blood will not be wasted. We name him as a commander of Kataib Hezbollah. The response will come.
Kataib Hezbollah claimed responsibility for two drone strikes targeting the US diplomatic logistics site at Baghdad International Airport, vowing continued operations against US forces in Iraq.
PMF issued no statement on the Abu Dhabi civilian fatality, maintaining silence consistent with its posture of only claiming strikes on US and coalition military positions.
PMF-aligned factions claimed responsibility for drone attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad, framing them as response to US military presence supporting the war on Iran.
Pro-Iran Iraqi militia groups (PMF) assessed by US intelligence as planning imminent attacks in central Baghdad within 24-48 hours, per US Embassy warning. PMF have maintained continuous operations against US logistics throughout the conflict.
Pro-Iran factions attributed with four drone waves on Castrol Oils in Erbil. Consistent with IRGC corporate deadline targeting Western commercial interests.
Iraqi intelligence service attributed the Baghdad HQ drone strike to 'outlaw groups' — standard language for Iran-aligned PMF factions. No group claimed responsibility.
No immediate claim of responsibility. Iraq's PMF factions aligned with Iran have conducted multiple drone attacks on US-linked bases in Iraq since the war began. Pattern consistent with Iran-directed proxy campaign against US military infrastructure in the region.
Kataeb Hezbollah: Extending pause on US Embassy Baghdad attacks by 5 days. Will respond if attacked. Denies Saturday intel building drone strike.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi faction fired 7 Arash-4 rockets at US-vacated coalition base in Hassakeh, Syria — expanding proxy operations into Syrian territory during the Iran-Israel war.
PMF sources confirmed 7 fighters killed and 13 wounded in the US strike on their Anbar base. The PMF, formally integrated into the Iraqi army but including pro-Iranian factions, has been a recurring US strike target throughout the Iran war.
Kataib Hezbollah operative arrested in connection with Kittleson kidnapping — Iranian-backed KH targeting US journalists in Baghdad escalates proxy hostage dimension of conflict.
Iraq NSC authorizes PMF self-defense response. PMF has formal Iraqi state cover to retaliate against US strikes. 15 fighters + commander killed in Anbar triggered authorization.
Islamic Resistance in Iraq: '23 attacks on US military sites in Iraq and the region over past 24 hours using dozens of drones and missiles targeting enemy bases.' Statement unverified; no US confirmation. Framed as response to US strikes on PMF in Anbar and regional solidarity with Iran.
PMF intelligence unit at Al-Habbaniya struck by airstrike. No immediate claim of responsibility. Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed 23 attacks on US sites over prior 24 hours; this strike likely a response to that escalation. Tit-for-tat cycle in Anbar Province continuing.
Iraq PM declares PMF 'pillar of national security' at emergency meeting. PMF strikes in Anbar and Mosul; PMF factions attacked Erbil consulate. State endorsement operationally protects PMF from internal Iraqi pressure to stand down.
The PMF has not responded to the Iraqi government condemnation. PMF militias have continued attacks on US personnel and Gulf states despite Baghdad's statement.
No group claimed responsibility for the Duhok strike on Barzani's residence. Attribution points toward Iranian-backed Iraqi militia (PMF/Kataib Hezbollah or allied groups), consistent with IRGC proxy pattern of targeting KRG-US-aligned figures.
PMF/Hashed al-Shaabi: Fighters 'subjected to a treacherous Zionist-American attack' in Kirkuk. 3 killed, 4 wounded. PMF condemns the strike.
No claim of responsibility. Attribution to IRGC-backed Iraqi militia consistent with Day 29 Duhok pattern — systematic targeting of KRG leadership to deter Kurdish alignment with US/Israel.
PMF supply routes near Qa'im under sustained interdiction. The Qa'im–Abu Kamal crossing is the primary IRGC-to-Hezbollah arms route. Rutba interdiction severs the PMF western logistics arc. No official PMF statement on strikes.