The coalition of pro-Iranian militias claimed US fighter and surveillance aircraft entered Iraqi airspace 171 times from Sept. 30 through Oct. 23.
According to the group, the alleged flights violated existing commitments and agreements between Baghdad and Washington. It urged the Iraqi government to address the issue publicly.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also criticized recent restrictions affecting airports and border crossings with Iran, alleging that outside pressure prompted the measures.
One such measure took effect Wednesday morning, when Iraq shut the Al-Sheeb crossing with Iran in the southern province of Maysan. Authorities said the crossing would remain closed until further notice.
Separately, Iraqi authorities are examining a series of explosions that may have resulted from Israeli strikes against Iran-backed armed groups, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
Security sources cited by the newspaper said a major consignment of Chinese-made portable air defense systems and suicide drones brought from Iran for local pro-Tehran factions was destroyed in the suspected attacks. Two storage facilities were struck soon after the weapons arrived, according to the report.
Those explosions came as warehouses operated by armed factions around Baghdad have been hit by a succession of unexplained blasts since early October.
Iraqi intelligence and security agencies are investigating the explosions and have raised the readiness of the country’s air defenses. Israeli authorities declined to comment.
Iraq has faced similar incidents before. In 2019, diplomatic sources cited by Asharq Al-Awsat said Israeli F-35 stealth fighters struck Iranian ballistic missile shipments and military advisers at Camp Ashraf northeast of Baghdad.
The developments also come after Iraq formally declared Sept. 30 that the US-led international coalition’s mission against the Islamic State in the country had concluded.
