Iraqi Shiite Militias Intensify Drone Strikes on US Bases

Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, collectively known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), have claimed responsibility for a series of attacks targeting American military bases in the region. These actions are described as retaliation against US and Israeli military operations against Iran.

On March 1, 2024, Saraya Awliya al Dam (SAD), a faction within the IRI, announced that its fighters had launched drone and missile strikes against US facilities in Erbil, located in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. Reports from that day confirmed explosions at Erbil International Airport, which is utilized by US troops.

The following day, SAD reported another attack targeting Camp Victoria, situated near Baghdad International Airport. The group claimed to have deployed a “squadron of drones” against the base. Media sources acknowledged explosions in the vicinity, noting that air defenses were activated in response to two incoming drones.

On March 3, 2024, SAD asserted that it had targeted a hotel in Erbil that allegedly housed US soldiers, although this claim remains unverified. After the attacks, SAD released video footage purportedly showing its fighters launching drones and missiles.

The IRI as a whole made its presence known on March 1, declaring the execution of 21 operations using numerous drones against various enemy bases in Iraq and the broader region. A day later, the IRI claimed to have conducted an additional 28 operations involving both drones and missiles. By March 3, the group reported 27 more attacks, though specific details regarding the targets were not disclosed.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), six American service members have lost their lives since the escalation of combat operations against Iran, with an additional 18 soldiers injured. An Iranian missile is believed to have struck a base in Kuwait where the deceased servicemen were stationed, but further details on the injured personnel have not been made public.

The rise of Iraqi militias, particularly those aligned with Iran, can be traced back to the aftermath of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. These groups exploited the resulting power vacuum and sectarian conflict to challenge US forces and assert their influence within Iraq’s security framework. Over time, many of these militias were consolidated into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which has since been recognized as an official security institution under the Iraqi government, primarily formed to combat the Islamic State.

Despite the formal establishment of the PMF, several powerful factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al Haq, continue to operate with considerable autonomy. Many of these groups are designated as terrorist organizations by the US and have maintained strong ties to Iran. They periodically conduct independent operations against US and coalition forces while also playing significant roles in shaping Iraqi domestic politics and resisting full state control.

Joe Truzman, an editor and senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal, focuses his research on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. The ongoing activities of these militias and their implications for regional stability remain a critical area of concern for both Iraqi and international stakeholders.