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Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran-backed Iraqi factions signal escalation and unity following Israeli strikes on Iran
Shafaq News/ The unprecedented Israeli airstrikes deep into Iranian territory have triggered a wave of forceful reactions from Iran-aligned factions in Iraq, with statements from Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada reflecting a dramatic convergence of rhetoric, strategic intent, and a reaffirmation of what Tehran has long described as the "Unity of Fronts"—a coordinated regional Axis of Resistance against Israel and US presence. Blaming the United States Across all statements, a consistent accusation is leveled against the United States: facilitating the Israeli air campaign by allowing Israeli aircraft to violate Iraqi airspace. Kataib Hezbollah was the most direct, accusing US President Donald Trump of granting authorization for the strikes and stating that US forces in Iraq 'paved the way' for Israeli jets to commit acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic. Similarly, Harakat al-Nujaba's Secretary-General Akram al-Kaabi described the operation as a 'flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty' coordinated with the 'American occupier', renewing the demand for the complete expulsion of US troops from all Iraqi land and airspace. These accusations mark a significant escalation in tone—no longer portraying US forces as mere remnants of occupation but as active enablers of regional destabilization. The Unity of Fronts What was once rhetorical solidarity with Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine has now been rearticulated into a vision of strategic coordination. Asaib Ahl al-Haq's call for 'resistance fighters to remain on alert' and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's warning that 'Iraq will not be spared' signal an emerging operational posture based on shared fate. While these factions stop short of declaring immediate military retaliation, the language suggests that they now view Israeli aggression on Iran as a direct threat to Iraq and the Axis at large. This is the clearest indication yet that the Iranian concept of a "Unity of Fronts"—where allied groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen act in concert—may be shifting from deterrent theory to practice. Harakat al-Nujaba underscored this narrative by highlighting Iran's past support for Iraq in its fight against ISIS, and asserting that standing with Iran is a natural extension of that legacy. In their words, Iran 'stood alone' with Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon, while the Arab world and the West sided with extremists or remained indifferent. Pressuring the Iraqi Government Nearly all factions addressed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al- Sudani directly or indirectly, urging him to resist American pressure and prevent further violations of Iraqi airspace. Asaib Ahl al-Haq demanded that Iraq acquire air defense systems and stop relying on US-controlled aerial oversight, implying that Washington is obstructing Iraq's right to self-defense. These calls reflect growing impatience with what these groups perceive as Baghdad's passive stance on sovereignty and foreign military presence. They are laying down a test: either the Iraqi government asserts full control over its skies and foreign policy, or the factions will continue to operate independently under the umbrella of the Axis. This narrative also seeks to preempt US efforts to keep the Iraqi government aligned with Western strategic priorities, particularly in preventing Iraq from becoming a launchpad or corridor for operations against Iran. Rhetoric of Retaliation Notably, none of the factions announced immediate retaliatory action. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's spokesperson stated that the group is 'monitoring developments' and will act in accordance with Iraq's national interest. This suggests a shift toward strategic patience and coordination with Tehran—likely in anticipation of Iran's broader response to the Israeli attack. However, the rhetorical groundwork is being laid: the Israeli strikes are cast as 'barbaric,' 'criminal,' and 'beyond red lines,' with several groups warning that such acts 'will not go unpunished.' The careful phrasing keeps military options open while signaling to Iran that Iraq's factions remain committed allies in what they see as a shared existential struggle. Expanding the Conflict's Political Horizon Perhaps the most consequential aspect of these statements is their attempt to redefine the Israeli-Iranian confrontation as a regional war with implications for every member of the Axis. By invoking Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and the anti-ISIS war, these groups are broadening the context, positioning themselves not as proxies, but as partners in a geopolitical alliance rooted in resistance. They are also reframing the narrative for domestic Iraqi audiences: this is not just about Iran, but about Iraqi sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination in the face of what they label foreign aggression and betrayal. A Precursor to Coordinated Action? While the immediate goal is pressuring the Iraqi government to evict US forces, the deeper message is one of transnational unity: the Axis of Resistance views an attack on Iran as an attack on the entire front. As Iran prepares its retaliation, the responses from Iraqi factions suggest that any future escalation may not be confined to Iranian soil. Whether militarily, politically, or rhetorically, the stage is being set for a more coordinated regional posture—and potentially, a broader confrontation.
Shafaq News
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
"Unity of Fronts" resurfaces: is Iraq drifting into regional conflict?
Shafaq News/ Iraq's response to escalating regional tensions has been marked by two contrasting positions. On one hand, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has renewed its readiness to fight Israel, while on the other, the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee has emphasized that any Iraqi involvement in foreign conflicts must be tied to an Arab or international decision, rather than a unilateral stance. Observers speculate that the return of the "Unity of Fronts" concept could see Iraqi factions re-engage in the conflict, potentially leading to Israeli operations under a different pretext or even US collaboration against Iraq. However, some argue that the idea of a "unity of fronts" is no longer feasible, given the setbacks faced by key forces in the so-called Axis of Resistance, such as Hezbollah, which has reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Israel despite the return of Israeli strikes on Gaza and the onset of US airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen. The term Unity of Fronts first entered common parlance in May 2021, following Hamas' battle in response to Israeli actions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. However, its practical application became more evident after Hamas launched the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Despite claiming to be unaware of Hamas' operation, leaders of the so-called Axis of Resistance opened fronts in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq to support Hamas in its battle with Israel over Gaza. Now, the situation has returned to a similar state, with a fragile truce in Gaza collapsing due to renewed Israeli attacks. Simultaneously, large-scale US military operations have begun against the Houthi movement in Yemen, described as a response to threats against international maritime navigation, though US officials also noted these strikes were in retaliation for Iran's backing of the Houthis. This regional escalation has also been taking place in Lebanon, where the Israeli military launched dozens of airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa province response to three rockets fired from southern Lebanon, which were intercepted before reaching the Israeli settlement of Mettula along the border. While Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket attack and reiterated its commitment to the November ceasefire, Israeli officials instructed the military to respond, holding the Lebanese government responsible for the incident. With the region's fires potentially reigniting under Israeli decisions, the question remains: Will the "Unity of Fronts" return? Preemptive War on the Horizon? Mahdi Al-Kaabi, a senior leader in the prio-Iranian Al-Nujaba movement (Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba,) classified the US strikes in Yemen as "a preemptive war to protect Israel." In an interview with Shafaq News, he acknowledged that all scenarios, including a full-scale regional war, remained on the table. "Islamic Resistance forces have been on full alert since the launch of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle, and are prepared for any escalation.' Meanwhile, Iran continues to reject any negotiations with the US over its nuclear program under the threat of war, according to its officials. Amid the shifting landscape of regional alliances, a source told Shafaq News that the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Ismail Qaani, conducted a brief and unannounced visit to Iraq, where he met with the leaders of the Coordination Framework, including the Popular Mobilization Forces. The meeting, according to the source, concluded with an emphasis on Iraq's commitment to neutrality, particularly about the Syrian conflict, while reinforcing the importance of maintaining security and preventing actions outside the state's framework. Qaani reportedly conveyed an Iranian message to the Iraqi government, advising it to preserve its balanced stance and refrain from aligning with one party against another. In the event of an Israeli strike on Iraq, the source added, "Iran will not remain silent and will support any stance or response from the Iraqi government or armed factions." Adherence to International Norms Member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Ali Nima Al-Bindawi, affirmed Iraq's commitment to international laws, stressing in an interview with Shafaq News that no political party or armed faction could undertake military operations without the government's official approval. "Iraq will not involve itself in external conflicts but will focus on enhancing internal security and protecting its sovereignty," Al-Bindawi said, emphasizing that any participation in foreign battles must be "an Arab or international decision." Dismissing talk of Iraq's independent involvement in foreign wars as "media consumption,' Al-Bindawi expressed confidence that Iraq would avoid becoming embroiled in regional conflicts, noting that Iraq's foreign policy had managed to shield the country from escalation. " Iraq will not become an open arena for conflicts," he concluded, referring to the situations in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. "Unity of Fronts": A Likely Return? As Israeli and US military operations continue to intensify, security expert Ahmad Al-Sharifi believes that the region is heading toward regional clashes, increasing the likelihood of a return to "Unity of Fronts." He described the strategy as "a deterrent framework employed by Iran and its allies to prevent direct targeting." Al-Sharifi noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's government faces difficult choices, caught between its ties to the Coordination Framework — which granted the government parliamentary legitimacy —and the challenge of containing armed factions and preventing cross-border operations, a situation that could cause "political and military embarrassment with the US". "The factions will not remain passive; they will opt for confrontation to support the Palestinian cause," Al-Sharifi predicted, suggesting that Israeli operations, potentially with US support, against Iraq could be forthcoming. This aligns with recent reports from Shafaq News, which revealed that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed a stern warning to Prime Minister al-Sudani during a phone call last Sunday, stating that any involvement by Iraqi factions in US strikes on the Houthis in Yemen would trigger a swift military response against those factions within Iraq. Hegseth emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue of disarming the armed factions, a matter reportedly receiving significant attention from President Trump and his administration. With military escalation ongoing in Gaza, Yemen, and Lebanon, and mounting indications that Iraqi armed factions may repeat its interference in the confrontation, analysts predict that the next phase may witness increased Israeli strikes against targets inside Iraq, particularly if factions act across borders. Such a development could mark a dangerous new stage in the region's volatile dynamics. In the face of these challenges, Iraq's government is confronted with a delicate balancing act between maintaining diplomatic equilibrium and navigating internal and external pressures, as the region edges closer to a new era of heightened tensions with potentially wider and more perilous repercussions.
