Iraqi armed factions vow to back Iran in event of US attack

Major Iranian-aligned armed factions in Iraq have issued stark warnings, pledging to directly enter any potential military conflict between the United States and Iran. The statements, released on Tuesday, threaten to dramatically expand a US-Iran confrontation into a region-wide war, drawing in neighboring states.

Pledges of "Comprehensive War" in Support of Tehran

The pledges of support came from several powerful groups within Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) network. The Secretary-General of Kataib Hezbollah, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, called on "mujahideen brothers" worldwide to "prepare for a comprehensive war in support of and solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran." Similarly, the Badr Organization issued a statement affirming its backing for Tehran against what it termed "American-Israeli arrogance." The Harakat al-Nujaba movement also declared its readiness to participate in responding to any attack on Iran, according to Iraqi media reports. These groups possess significant military capabilities and have previously targeted US forces in Iraq.

Warning of an "Unconventional" Regional Conflict

Senior figures within these factions framed the potential conflict as an existential threat that would inevitably draw in Iraq and the Gulf region. Firas al-Yasser, a political bureau member of Harakat al-Nujaba, told Iraqi media, "Any attack on Iran would drag the region into a broader confrontation that would include the Gulf states and Iraq." He predicted that Iran's response would be "unconventional," targeting unexpected locations. Al-Yasser argued that "weakening Iran represents a preparatory phase for targeting Iraq in the future," positioning the factions' support as a preemptive defense of Iraq's own security.

Context of Heightened US-Iran Tensions

The bellicose statements from Baghdad emerge amid a period of intense strain between Washington and Tehran. Fears of a potential US military strike have grown inside Iran following widespread anti-government protests that began in late December over economic grievances. The US administration has stated that "all options," including military action, remain on the table in dealing with Iran, with a stated goal shared with Israel of changing the Iranian ruling system. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any US attack would trigger a "swift and comprehensive" response. The Iraqi factions' vows underscore how a direct US-Iran clash would immediately activate Tehran's network of regional proxies, transforming a bilateral conflict into a multi-front regional war.