Pro-Iran Shiite groups in Iraq demand US exit after Israeli strikes

BAGHDAD,— Iran-backed Shiite armed groups in Iraq have renewed calls for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, following a series of Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets.

One of the country’s most influential factions, Kataeb Hezbollah, issued a statement Friday accusing the United States of playing a role in Israel’s actions by allowing American-controlled airspace over Iraq to be used during the operation.

“The American forces in Iraq have made this attack possible by opening Iraqi skies to Zionist aircraft,” the group said. The statement blamed U.S. President Donald Trump for authorizing what they described as a “large-scale aggression.”

Kataeb Hezbollah urged the Iraqi government to expel foreign troops, warning of further conflict if they remain. “To avoid Iraq becoming a battleground, the government must act quickly to remove these hostile forces from our territory,” the group said.

Another Iran-aligned faction, Harakat al-Nujaba, led by Akram al-Kaabi, also condemned what it called cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. Al-Kaabi demanded the “complete and immediate” withdrawal of all American military personnel.

American troops have been present in Iraq under a formal agreement with Baghdad to assist in operations against the Islamic State group. The U.S.-led coalition also operates in neighboring Syria under the same mission.

Pro-Iranian forces have previously targeted U.S. bases with rockets and drones since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

The U.S. military responded with airstrikes on Iranian-linked sites, leading to a temporary decline in attacks.

The governments of Iraq and the United States recently announced that coalition forces will conclude their mission in federal Iraq by the end of 2025, with a full withdrawal from the Kurdistan region by September 2026.

Around 2,500 American troops are currently stationed in Iraq.

Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a peak on Friday when Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state media said at least 20 senior commanders were killed, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami.

Iran claimed six top nuclear scientists were also among the dead. Officials reported nearly 80 deaths and over 320 injuries, many of them civilians.

Tehran retaliated with missile barrages Friday night. Explosions were heard in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but Israel’s military said the majority of the projectiles—fewer than 100—were intercepted or landed outside its territory. Two U.S. officials confirmed that American forces assisted in intercepting incoming missiles.

(With files from Reuters)