Islamic Resistance in Iraq

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Not to be confused with Islamic Front for the Iraqi Resistance or Hamas of Iraq.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq
al-Moqawamat al-Islamiat fi al-Iraq
IRI
المقاومة الإسلامية في العراق
LeadersAhmad al-Hamidawi
Akram al-Kaabi
Qais Khazali
Abu Ala al-Walai
Group(s)See groups
IdeologyShia Islamism
Khomeinism
Anti-Americanism
Anti-Zionism
Anti-imperialism[1]
Size70,000
Part ofAxis of Resistance
Allies Iran
 Syria
 Yemen (SPC)
 Hezbollah
 Houthi movement
 Hamas
 Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Opponents United States
 Israel
 Jordan
Battles and warsAttacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–present)
Israel–Hamas war
Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
2024 Iranian strikes in Israel

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI; Arabic: المقاومة الإسلامية في العراق, romanized: al-Moqawamat al-Islamiat fi al-Iraq) is a network of Iranian-backed Shia Islamist insurgent groups in Iraq. It is an umbrella term or generic name used by these groups when carrying out attacks against American and allied forces in the region.[2][3]

In October 2023, the IRI began launching rockets and drones at U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan and Syria, causing minor injuries to American servicemen until a drone attack killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan on 28 January 2024.[4][5][6][7][8] Since November 2023, the IRI has attacked Israel with multiple drones and missiles.[9] 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.[10][11]

Groups[edit]

Operations in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria[edit]

Main article: Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–present)

On 18 October 2023, amid the 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.[15][16][17]

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.[18]

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.[citation needed]

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.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21][22]

On 18 January 2024, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone after it took off from Kuwait near Muqdadiyah, Diyala Governorate.[23][24]

On 20 January 2024, the group claimed a missile attack on the Ain Al-Asad Air Base in Al Anbar Govenorate, injuring two US personnel and one Iraqi personnel.[25][26]

On 28 January, the IRI launched a drone attack on the Tower 22 US military outpost in Rukban, Jordan, killing 3 US soldiers and injuring 47 others.[8][27]

On 4 February 2024, a drone struck a training ground in Al-Omar field in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, which houses US troops, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces. Though no casualties were reported among US forces, at least seven Kurdish fighters were killed and 18 injured. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.[28][29] The SDF condemned the attack, and said it had "every right to respond".[30]

On 1 April 2024, Abu Ali al-Askari, security chief of Kata'ib Hezbollah, said the organisation was prepared to arm the Islamic Resistance in Jordan. He declared that Kata'ib Hezbollah is ready to provide "12,000 fighters with light and medium weapons, anti-armor launchers, tactical missiles, millions of rounds of ammunition, and tons of explosives" to "defend the Palestinians and avenge the honour of Muslims." On the same day, al-Tanf garrison in Syria was attacked by a one-way attack drone which was intercepted.[31] Shortly after this announcement, a Jordanian militant attacked an IDF patrol vehicle near the Jordanian-Israeli border and fled. This was the first instance of an attack from Jordan on Israel since the beginning of the war.[32]

Operations in Israel[edit]

Main article: Israel–Hamas war § Iraq

Since November 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks against targets within Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The group stated it would continue to "strike enemy strongholds."

In late January, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq announced it had entered its second phase of operations which included blockading the Mediterranean maritime routes to Israeli ports and disabling the ports.[33]

List of claimed attacks on Israel
Date Target Description Outcome
2 November 2023 Dead Sea Claimed responsibility for an attack against a "vital Israeli target" on the Dead Sea coastline.[34] Unknown
3 November 2023 Eilat Claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Eilat.[35] Unknown
12 November 2023 Eilat Claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Eilat.[36] Unknown
21 December 2023 Eilat Claimed drone attack. Intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force.[37]
Karish rig Claimed drone attack. Intercepted by IDF fighter jets.[38]
28 December 2023 Fik Airport Claimed drone attack.[39] Drone crashed near Eliad, Golan Heights. No casualty or damage reported.[39]
31 December 2023 Golan Heights Claimed drone attack.[40] Intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.[40]
Eilat Claimed drone attack.[41] Intercepted by the IDF.[41]
7 January 2024 Golan Heights Claimed drone attack.[42] Unknown
7 January 2024 Haifa Port Claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Haifa Port.[43] Unknown
22 January 2024 Ashdod Claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the port of Ashdod.[44] No verification of the claims.[44]
24 January 2024 Ashdod Claimed responsibility for a drone strike on the port of Ashdod.[45] No verification of the claims.[45]
28 January 2024 Eilat Claimed drone attack.[46] Unknown
9 February 2024 Dead Sea Claimed attack.[47] Unknown
1 March 2024 Haifa Port Claimed drone strike on a chemical depot in Haifa Port.[48] Unknown
5 March 2024 Haifa Airport Claimed drone attack.[49] No verification of the claims.[49]
6 March 2024 Kiryat Shmona Airport Claimed drone attack.[50] Unknown
11 March 2024 Ben Gurion Airport Claimed drone attack on Ben Gurion Airport.[51] No verification of the claims. Shortly after the announcement, Jordanian security sources announced the discovery of drone parts in an uninhabited area.[51]
17 March 2024 Fik Airport Claimed drone attack on an Israeli airbase in the occupied Golan Heights.[52] No reports of an attack by the Israeli military, however, the Jordanian military confirmed suspicious aerial movements from an unknown source along the Syrian border.[52]
1 April 2024 Eilat Claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Eilat. The drone striked an IDF Naval Base causing minor damage to a building and no casualites.[53][54]
2 April 2024 Ramon Airport Unidentified drone, allegedly of Iraqi origin. The drone was either intercepted or failed to strike its target, falling in an open area 200 meters from the Israel-Jordan border.[55]
8 April 2024 Elifelet base Claimed drone attack.[56] Unknown
9 April 2024 Eilat Drone attack on Eilat coming from eastern direction, suggesting it as originating from Iraq.[57] The drone was shot down with the C-Dome system, marking its first operational use.[57]
13–14 April 2024 Israel Attacked Israel alongside other members of the Axis of Resistance with drones and missiles. Damages caused specifically by Iraqi drones and missiles are unknown.
20 April 2024 Eilat Claimed the drone attack was in response to the alleged Israeli-American airstrike on the PMU.[58] Unknown

Intervention in Israel–Hezbollah conflict[edit]

Main article: Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)

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.[59] This statement came a few weeks after the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Karish rig which Lebanon claims to hold sovereignty to.[60]

Involvement in 2024 Iran–Israel conflict[edit]

Main article: 2024 Iran–Israel conflict

In Iran's missile and drone strikes against Israel, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq had contributed to the attacks on Israel, alongside Iran, the Yemeni Houthis, and an unidentified faction in Syria. This was by their launch of drones and missiles at targets in Israel.[61][62][63] The United States, United Kingdom, and Jordan intercepted many of the drones but many did hit various locations within Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.[64][65]

In response to alleged Israeli bombardment of Popular Mobilization Forces bases in Iraq, which killed a soldier and injured several others, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a drone attack targeting Eilat.[66]

Intervention in United States–Houthi conflict[edit]

Main article: United States–Houthi conflict (2023–present)

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".[67] After the initial US-UK airstrikes on Yemen, there were reports of a bomb and sirens being heard at the US Embassy in Iraq.[68] In the same month, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack on a US base in Jordan, killing three US soldiers and injuring 47 others.

U.S. retaliation airstrikes[edit]

Main articles: Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–present) § U.S._response; and February 2024 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria

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.[69]

On 2 February, the US launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, in response to an attack that killed three US troops in Jordan. On 7 February, a US drone strike on a vehicle in the Mashtal neighborhood of Baghdad killed a commander of Kata'ib Hezbollah Abu Baqir Al-Saadi.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ Caleb Weiss; Joe Truzman (30 April 2021). "Iranian-backed groups tout operations in Iraq". The Long War Journal.
  3. ^ Hamdi Malik; Michael Knights (21 October 2023). "Profile: The Islamic Resistance of Iraq". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
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  69. ^ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 21, 2023".
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