Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?

Israel appears to be making its final diplomatic moves before striking at Iraq for 12 months of attacks by Iraq’s Islamic Resistance.

 

November 18 Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council warning Iraq. He wrote that immediate action needed to be taken against Iraqi factions striking Israel. He said that Baghdad was ultimately responsible for these actions and that Israel had the right to defend itself.

 

In September Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN and brought up Iraq as well. He waved a map that included Iraq and said that militias there had been carrying out operations against Israel.

 

These appear to be the last warnings Iraq will receive. Saudi TV Al-Hadath reported that the U.S. told Baghdad that Israeli retaliation is imminent and that it could do no more to restrain Netanyahu.

 

From December 2023 to November 21, 2024, Musings On Iraq has recorded 203 attacks by the Iraqi Resistance against Israel.

 

Events escalated in October when Israel claimed two of its soldiers were killed in an Iraqi drone strike on the Golan Heights.

 

Baghdad has been in constant talks with these factions and their sponsor Iran but to no avail. The latest attempt was made by National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji who travelled to Iran in mid-November. He said that Iraq wanted to stay out of any conflict with Israel and that the pro-Iran groups were dragging the country into conflict. Back on November 9 Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that Iran promised not to use Iraqi territory for any strike against Israel. That came after Israeli and U.S. intelligence accused Tehran of moving drones and missiles into Iraq and distributing them to their Iraqi allies. The government’s frustration was expressed by an adviser to Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani who said that the Resistance was embarrassing Baghdad with its actions and had opened Iraq to retaliation by Israel.

 

The Resistance is officially part of the Hashd al-Shaabi which are within the Iraqi Security Forces but the government has no real control over them. Rather they follow their own individual leaders and have all pledged allegiance to Tehran.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, “Will Iraq open its skies to Israeli aggression?” 11/20/24

 

Arab Weekly, “Sudani’s failed balancing act could unleash Israeli strikes against Iraq’s pro-Iran militias,” 11/21/24

 

Asharq Al-Awsat, “Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias,” 10/6/24

 

Bas News, “Israel May Soon Target Iraq, Warns PM Adviser,” 11/4/24

 

Al Hurra, “Iraq reveals Iranian pledges not to use its territory in any attack,” 11/9/24

 

Al Rafidain, “MPs: Al-Araji informed the Iranians of the decision to stay out of the circle of any potential war with Israel,” 11/14/24

 

Ravid, Barak, “U.S. warns Iraq: Don’t let Iran attack from your soil or Israel could retaliate,” Axios, 11/5/24