Islamic Resistance in Iraq
al-Moqawamat al-Islamiat fi al-Iraq
المقاومة الإسلامية في العراق
LeadersAhmad al-Hamidawi
Akram al-Kaabi
Qais Khazali
Abu Ala al-Walai
Dates of operation3 January 2020 – present
Group(s)See groups
IdeologyIraqi nationalism
Shia Islamism
Khomeinism
Anti-Americanism
Anti-Zionism
Size70,000
Part ofAxis of Resistance
Allies Iran
 Syria
 Russia
 North Korea
Popular Mobilization Forces
 Hezbollah
 Houthi movement
 Hamas
 Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Opponents United States
 Israel
Kurdistan Region Peshmerga
Islamic State
White Flags
Battles and wars2023 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI; Arabic: المقاومة الإسلامية في العراق, romanized: al-Moqawamat al-Islamiat fi al-Iraq) is an umbrella term for pro-Iran Shia Islamist insurgent groups in Iraq which has been described as a generic brand or network[1] of ideologically similar groups backed by Iran rather than a group in itself.[2]

In October 2023, the IRI began launching rockets and drones at U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, causing minor injuries to American servicemen.[3][4][5][6] The IRI also used a missile to attack Israel.[7] Brain injuries were the most cited medical result of the five dozen attacks on U.S. forces and have initiated diplomatic efforts by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and more directly by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani on a visit to Tehran.[8][9]

Groups

Operations in Iraq and Syria

On 18 October 2023, amid the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq began waves of attacks on U.S. bases in both Iraq and Syria, beginning with the launching of a drone strike on al-Asad Airbase which was intercepted.[13][14][15]

On 24 October, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes on US bases in eastern Syria, notably al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate and al-Shaddadi in the Al-Hasakah Governorate.[16]

On 5 November, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq issued a warning ahead of Antony Blinken's visit to Baghdad, saying "Antony Blinken, the son of a Jew, is not welcome in Iraq." As a result of the threats, Blinken wore a bulletproof vest when landing in Baghdad International Airport.[17]

On 9 November, US forces were struck three separate times in 24 hours, including drone strikes in Al-Asad Airbase and Al-Harir Air Base, as well as an IED attack on a patrol near the Mosul Dam.[18]

On 20 November, eight US and coalition soldiers were injured from a ballistic missile attack, and there was minor infrastructural damage after the air base was attacked by a ballistic missile.[19]

On 25 December, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the base which injured three US soldiers, one being critical.[20][21]

Operations in Israel

On 2 November, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for an attack against a "vital Israeli target" on the Dead Sea coastline in retaliation to Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. In a statement later that day, the group stated it would continue to "strike enemy strongholds."[22]

On 3 November, the Islamic Resistance In Iraq claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Eilat.[23] On 12 November, it claimed responsibility for another missile attack on Eilat.[24]

On 21 December, the Islamic Resistance In Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Eilat which was reportedly intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force.[25] It also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the Karish rig hours after the attack on Eilat which was shot down by IDF fighter jets.[26]

On 28 December, the Islamic Resistance In Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack near Eli-ad in the southern part of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.[27]

On 31 December, the Islamic Resistance In Iraq claimed responsibility for two drone attacks on the Golan Heights which were intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.[28] A few hours after the drone attacks on Golan Heights, they claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Eilat which was intercepted by the IDF.[29]

On 7 January, the Islamic Resistance In Iraq claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli base in the Golan Heights and a cruise missile attack on a "vital target" on Haifa Bay.[30][31]

Possible intervention in Israel–Hezbollah conflict

On 9 January, the Kata'ib Hezbollah spokesperson Jafar al-Husseini warned that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq would help Hezbollah fight Israel if war erupted between the two sides.[32]

Possible intervention in United States–Houthi conflict

On 11 January, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said that if Yemen is attacked by the US and UK, "we will attack the Americans' base with everything in our power".[33]

U.S. retaliation airstrikes

On 21 November, a US AC-130-gunship struck a Kata'ib Hezbollah vehicle near Abu Ghraib, Iraq in response to the Islamic Resistance In Iraq's 20 November attack on Ain al Assad Airbase.[34]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Caleb Weiss; Joe Truzman (30 April 2021). "Iranian-backed groups tout operations in Iraq". The Long War Journal.
  2. 1 2 Hamdi Malik; Michael Knights (21 October 2023). "Profile: The Islamic Resistance of Iraq". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
  3. ↑ Hammer, Mathias (25 October 2023). "What to Know About the Attacks on U.S. Military Bases in the Middle East". TIME.
  4. ↑ "Iraqi Shiite militia claim drone, rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Syria". Xinhua (via News.cn). 19 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Fifth drone strike in past week targets U.S. troops". Kurdistan 24. 21 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Iraqi Islamic Front targets US forces in Syria". North Press Agency. 23 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Iraqi militant group claims responsibility for missile attack on Israel". Kurdistan 24. 3 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Lolita C. Baldor and Qassim Abdul-Zahra. Associated Press reporters. (18 November 2023). "How the US strikes a delicate balance in responding to attacks on its forces by Iran-backed militias". Microsoft Start website Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Fatima Hussein and Tara Copp. Associated Press reporters. "Treasury sanctions Iran-backed militia members attacking US forces". Army Times website Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Iran Update, October 18, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  11. 1 2 Dana Taib Menmy; Oliver Mizzi (8 November 2023). "Who is the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the mysterious group attacking US and Israeli targets over Gaza?". The New Arab.
  12. ↑ "Iran Update, November 3, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Sewell, Abby; Copp, Tara; Abdul-Zahra, Qassim (18 October 2023). "Drone attack on base hosting US troops intercepted in Iraq, heightening fears of a broader conflict". Beirut, Lebanon: AP News. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "Drone attack on US forces intercepted in Iraq – report". The Jerusalem Post. 18 October 2023. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Stewart, Phil; Ismail, Amina; Rasheed, Ahmed; Stewart, Phil (18 October 2023). "US says it thwarted drone attacks on troops in Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  16. ↑ AP. "Iran-backed groups claim fresh attacks on US bases in Syria". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  17. ↑ Arain, Waqas (7 November 2023). "Bulletproof Diplomacy: Blinken's Vest Spotlights Security Concerns in Iraq". BNN Breaking. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Drone, explosive attacks target US forces across Iraq". Reuters. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "Several U.S. service members injured in missile attack at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, Pentagon says - CBS News". CBS News. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "New drone attack targets US troops in Iraq". France 24. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  21. ↑ Stewart, Phil (26 December 2023). "US retaliates in Iraq after three US troops wounded in attack". reuters.com. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Iran-Backed 'Islamic Resistance In Iraq' Claims Attack Against Israeli Target On Dead Sea Coastline". MEMRI. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  23. ↑ Muwaffaq, Dastan (3 November 2023). "Iraqi militant group claims responsibility for missile attack on Israel". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "Iraq's Islamic Resistance attacks Eilat with "appropriate weapons"". Shafaq News. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Iraqi militia attempts Eilat drone attack, was intercepted over Jordan". The Jerusalem Post. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Iran-backed militias in Iraq claim to have targeted Israeli gas rig in Mediterranean". The Times of Israel. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Suspected explosive-laden drone crashes in Golan; Iraqi militia claims responsibility". The Times of Israel. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  28. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel (31 December 2023). "IDF downs two apparent drones launched at Israel by Iran-backed Iraqi militia". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Iraqi militia group claims attack on southern Israel". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  30. ↑ ""Iraqi Resistance" target Israeli, American bases in Syria". Shafaq News. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "Iraqi Shiite factions attack Haifa with a strategic missile". Shafaq News. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  32. ↑ Comms, I. S. W. "Iran Update, January 9, 2024". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "Iran-backed militias in Iraq: if Yemen is attacked, we will hit US base". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 21, 2023".
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