Iraq Becomes Secondary Theatre — Iran-Aligned Militias Claim 23 Strikes on US Military Sites

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq — an umbrella of Iran-aligned factions including Kataib Hezbollah — claimed 23 attacks on US military sites in Iraq and the wider region over 24 hours ending March 25. The group said operations used dozens of drones and missiles targeting 'enemy bases.' Claims are unverified; the US military issued no immediate confirmation. Iraq has become the most active secondary theatre in the conflict. The US struck a PMF base in Anbar Province on Day 25 killing 7 fighters, prompting Iraq's NSC to authorize PMF self-defense responses. Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar — a key US forward installation previously targeted by Iranian proxy strikes — sits in the heart of the contested province. The proxy drone and missile campaign against US forward positions is designed to divert US air defense capacity and ISR assets from the primary Iran theatre. The parallel deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division to the region signals Washington is bracing for expansion of the Iraq front. Any US-Iran ceasefire must also address the proxy network's willingness to stand down.

Key facts

• •Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims 23 drone/missile attacks on US military sites over 24 hours — unverified
• •Al-Asad Air Base (Anbar) is a key US forward installation under sustained proxy pressure
• •US struck PMF Anbar base Day 25 (7 killed); Iraq NSC authorized PMF self-defense response
• •82nd Airborne (2,000 troops) deploying to Middle East — within striking distance of Iran
• •Iraq proxy campaign designed to split US air defense and ISR between Iraq and Iran theatres