US Reportedly Gives Israel Green Light for Action Against Pro-Iranian Militias in Iraq
Western sources report the US gave Israel a green light for airspace operations over Iraq to target pro-Iranian militias. Israel fears a land corridor linking Iran to Lebanon as US forces draw down.
Western sources claim that the United States has given Israel a "green light" to expand its operational freedom of movement in the airspace near Iraq, enabling it to carry out strikes against militias and armed groups affiliated with Iran, according to a report by the "Erem News" website.
According to the sources, the US administration is updated on Israeli plans designed to thwart the entrenchment of pro-Iranian militias in the region. Simultaneously, Washington is preparing to strengthen its defense systems to protect its forces and remaining interests in the Middle East, as well as to build a regional defense array in anticipation of possible retaliatory actions and wide-scale escalation following an Israeli strike.
Preparing for Operation
The report comes against the backdrop of Western intelligence assessments indicating that the IDF and the Mossad have completed a series of operational preparations for potential airstrikes and operations against headquarters and weapons depots of armed organizations loyal to Tehran within Iraqi territory.
One of the central concerns within the Israeli defense establishment relates to the consequences of the withdrawal of American forces from the region. Israel assesses that a reduction in the American presence could allow the establishment of a continuous land corridor connecting Iran to Lebanon through Iraq.
"The developments place Iraq between Iranian influence and the possibility of direct Israeli military action on its territory," political analyst Yassin al-Duwaish noted.
The Land Corridor Concern
According to the report, both the US and Israel assess that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is increasingly utilizing this corridor to transfer advanced military equipment, precision ballistic missiles, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, and financial and logistical support.
Meanwhile, reports in Iraqi media point to difficulties in efforts by the government in Baghdad to centralize weaponry under state control. Despite the extended deadline for armed groups to surrender their weapons by mid-2027, major organizations such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and the al-Nujaba Movement refuse to relinquish their arsenals.
