The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI; ) refers to an informal network of Iranian-backed Shia Islamist factions in Iraq. The name is used by members of the network when carrying out attacks against American forces or its allies in the region. IRI does not represent the official position of the Iraqi government and consists of militias that operate outside the formal command structure of the Iraqi armed forces. It is part of the Axis of Resistance.
In October 2023, the IRI began launching rockets and drones at US bases in Iraq, Jordan and Syria, causing minor injuries to American servicemen until a drone attack killed three US soldiers in Jordan on 28 January 2024. Since November 2023, the IRI has attacked Israel with multiple drones and missiles. In April 2025, the IRI had said that it was prepared to disarm in order to avert an escalating conflict with the Trump administration.
Groups Current Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS) Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN) Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA) Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (KSQ) al-Thawriyyun group Saraya Awliya al-Dam (SAD) Jaysh al-Ghadab True Promise Corps Rijal al-Bas al-Shadid
Former
Liwa Thar al-Muhandis League of the Revolutionaries Zulfiqar Forces Sariya Qassem al-Jibareen Avenger Brigades Liwa al-Qasim Saraya Thawrat al-Eshreen al-Thaniya
Arsenal The IRI's arsenal composes of cruise missiles, kamikaze drones and rockets of Iranian origin. These include: al-Arqab – a long-range surface-to-surface cruise missile, with a range of Shahed 101 – A loitering munition, with a range of Shahed 131 – A loitering munition, with a range of . It is the smaller counterpart of the Shahed 136. Shahed 136 – A loitering munition, with a range of . This has not been used and only claimed possession.
Operations in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria
On 18 October 2023, amid the Gaza war, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq began waves of attacks on US bases in both Iraq and Syria, beginning with the launching of a drone strike on al-Asad Airbase which was intercepted.
On 24 October 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes on US bases in eastern Syria, notably al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate and al-Shaddadi in Al-Hasakah Governorate.
On 5 November 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq issued a warning ahead of Antony Blinken's visit to Baghdad, saying "Antony Blinken, the son of a Jew, is not welcome in Iraq." As a result of the threats, Blinken wore a bulletproof vest when landing in Baghdad International Airport.
On 9 November 2023, US forces were struck three separate times in 24 hours, including drone strikes in Al-Asad Airbase and Al-Harir Air Base, as well as an IED attack on a patrol near the Mosul Dam.
On 20 November 2023, eight US and coalition soldiers were injured from a ballistic missile attack, and there was minor infrastructural damage after the air base was attacked by a ballistic missile.
On 25 December 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the base which injured three US soldiers, one being critical.
On 18 January 2024, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone after it took off from Kuwait near Muqdadiyah, Diyala Governorate.
On 20 January 2024, the group claimed a missile attack on the Ain Al-Asad Air Base in Al Anbar Govenorate, injuring two US personnel and one Iraqi personnel.US personnel suffer minor injuries in Iraq base attack: U.S. official, Reutershttps://x.com/irandefense/status/1727839209308787065?s=46&t=UYh7e8DMIsUga4DLC5QNmA
On 28 January 2024, the IRI launched a drone attack on the Tower 22 US military outpost in Rukban, Jordan, killing 3 US soldiers and injuring 47 others.
On 4 February 2024, a drone struck a training ground in Al-Omar field in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, which houses US troops, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces. Though no casualties were reported among US forces, at least seven Kurdish fighters were killed and 18 injured. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack. The SDF condemned the attack, and said it had "every right to respond".
On 1 April 2024, Abu Ali al-Askari, security chief of Kata'ib Hezbollah, said the organisation was prepared to arm the Islamic Resistance in Jordan. He declared that Kata'ib Hezbollah is ready to provide "12,000 fighters with light and medium weapons, anti-armor launchers, tactical missiles, millions of rounds of ammunition, and tons of explosives" to "defend the Palestinians and avenge the honour of Muslims." On the same day, al-Tanf garrison in Syria was attacked by a one-way attack drone which was intercepted. Shortly after this announcement, a Jordanian militant attacked an IDF patrol vehicle near the Jordanian-Israeli border and fled. This was the first instance of an attack from Jordan on Israel since the beginning of the war.
Attacks on Israel
Since November 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks against targets within Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The group stated it would continue to "strike enemy strongholds."
In late January, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced it had entered its second phase of operations which included blockading the Mediterranean maritime routes to Israeli ports and disabling the ports.
In November 2024, US officials confirmed that US and partner forces had intercepted Iraqi kamikaze drones launched against Israel. By late October, the ISI had launched drones on an average of around five times a day. In one 24-hour period in October, the ISI launched eight drones at Israel.
Shortly after, Israeli news outlets reported that Israel may target the IRI for its campaign against Israel during its wars on Gaza and on Lebanon. Unnamed officials allegedly told outlets that satellites monitored the transfer of ballistic missiles and related equipment from Iran to Iraqi territory.