Security officials are sounding the alarm over Iran's escalating involvement in Iraq, where Tehran is bolstering pro-Iranian militias and building new terror networks, potentially opening a new front against Israel.
Sources in the IDF's Northern Command reveal that Iran is pouring resources into these groups, preparing them for aerial and ground assaults on Israeli territory. According to a report by Amir Bohbot on Walla News, the IDF and Mossad are bracing for long-range missile strikes and drone attacks from Iraq, as well as possible ground incursions via Syria and the Jordanian border.
This development comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran viewing these militias as a key extension of its influence. Recent visits by Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani to Iraq underscore the coordination efforts, where he met with militia leaders to align strategies for a broader conflict. IDF assessments highlight scenarios mirroring those seen in the "Swords of Iron" war, including drone and missile barrages that previously caused casualties in Israel.A Year of Escalation and Casualties
Iraq emerged as a significant threat during the war's first year, with the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," an umbrella of Iran-backed factions, launching repeated attacks in solidarity with Gaza. Targets included Eilat, the Arava region, and the Golan Heights, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to dozens more.
Key incidents include:
- A December 2023 drone explosion at the Pik airstrip in the Golan.
- An April 2024 strike on Eilat's naval base.
- A September 2024 port explosion injuring two civilians.
- The October 2, 2024, attack that killed Sgt. Daniel Aviv Haim Sofer and Cpl. Tal Dror in the northern Golan.
The Air Force intercepted multiple drone swarms later that month targeting the Gulf of Eilat and Jordan Valley. By late December 2024, Iraqi officials announced a halt to these operations under pressure from Baghdad and Western powers, including threats from Israel and the U.S., as stated by Iraqi MP Yasser Watut. However, Israeli intelligence warns this pause is fragile, with militias continuing to arm and reorganize.
In response, the Israeli Air Force has struck Iranian logistical hubs near the Iraq border, disrupting supply lines to these groups. Training exercises in the Jordan Valley, led by Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha's Eastern Division, are simulating similar invasion threats.This buildup raises fears of a multi-front war, with Iraq potentially joining forces from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen in Iran's "axis of resistance."
