Iranian-backed militias strike Iraqi intelligence service in Baghdad escalation

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq appear to be expanding their campaign of attacks to include Iraqi state institutions, marking a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran began, these militias have carried out hundreds of attacks. Many of the groups are part of Iraq's state-affiliated Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a paramilitary umbrella organization. They have targeted US facilities and the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.

Now, reports indicate that the militias have also struck Iraq's intelligence service in Baghdad, injuring personnel at the site.

The Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) is a key state institution that militias often view as closely aligned with the United States. According to reports, one INIS officer was killed in the attack.

The INIS said that on Saturday, the perimeter of its site in Baghdad was subjected to "a terrorist targeting carried out by outlaw entities," which led to one officer being killed. The INIS called the incident a "desperate attempt aimed at deterring the agency from performing its professional role.”

The INIS went on to note that the agency "affirms the continued fulfillment of its national duties and emphasizes that these terrorist practices only increase its resolve and determination to pursue the perpetrators and those responsible for them until they are apprehended and brought before the courts to receive their just punishment.”

Attack reflects tensions over US tiesAnalysts suggest the attack reflects longstanding tensions over the intelligence service's perceived ties to Washington.

The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim cited Ramzy Mardini, an affiliate of Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation, in a post on X.“There's an entrenched perception among Iraq's militias that INIS is a CIA cut-out and remains an institution deeply tied to the US since it was created in 2004. Even after Sudani carried out purges of the organization when he entered office, there are still segments of the organization that have maintained ties to the CIA, particularly on the anti-ISIS campaign. This attack is best understood as a coercive signal, intended to deter intelligence cooperation with the U.S. military going forward.

In an active wartime condition, any internal collaboration would be considered a direct threat to the militias and their operational security.”

Iraqi government signals support for PMF

The attack comes as Iraq's government continues to emphasize its support for the Popular Mobilization Forces.

On March 19, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Authority, where he was received by senior leadership, including Falih Faisal Al-Fayyad, chairman of the Popular Mobilization Commission.“During the visit, His Excellency affirmed that the government cannot tolerate any targeting directed at the fighters from the sons of the Popular Mobilization Authority and the rest of the branches and formations of our armed forces, praising the role of the Mobilization and its great sacrifices that contributed to protecting Iraq and enhancing its sovereignty and independence, while expressing his full support for this essential force within our security forces,” Sudani's office said.

US warns citizens to leave IraqMeanwhile, the US Embassy in Baghdad has continued to warn American citizens about the security situation in Iraq."

Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks on US citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). U.S. citizens should leave Iraq now,” the embassy said on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the embassy warned US citizens against traveling to Iraq. Iran-aligned terrorist militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad. The International Zone remains closed, with limited exceptions.

There have also been repeated attacks in the area around the Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate General in Erbil. Do not attempt to come to the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate general in Erbil in light of the ongoing risk of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace.”