Israeli media say Iran arming Iraqi militias for possible conflict
Iran is supplying Shi’ite militias in Iraq with more advanced weapons in preparation for a possible new round of fighting with Israel, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
Iran is supplying Shi’ite militias in Iraq with more advanced weapons in preparation for a possible new round of fighting with Israel, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
Citing Iraqi sources familiar with the matter, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan Reshet Bet said Tehran had stepped up arms transfers to allied groups in Iraq following losses suffered by Iran-backed factions in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
The report said Iran appeared to be shifting the focus of its regional military influence toward Iraqi militias.
The station said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force was training fighters for potential coordinated ground and air operations, while the groups themselves feared strikes from Israel and the United States.
The sources said the militias take orders from Tehran more than from Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has sought to keep his country out of regional escalation.
Reports in Israeli outlets including Walla and The Jerusalem Post last week said the Israel Defense Forces and intelligence agencies were preparing for possible attacks by Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq.
The Post said Tehran was investing resources to strengthen these militias and establish what it called “terror infrastructure” capable of striking Israel when ordered.
Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani visited Iraq late in October for talks with senior militia leaders.
Al-Sudani said earlier this year that his government had blocked dozens of attempted attacks by Iran-backed groups during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June.
In an interview with the Associated Press, he said Baghdad must carefully balance relations with both Washington and Tehran.
