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  6.  » State Department Issues Warning to Iraq’s Prime Minister as Iran-Backed Militias Launch Attacks on U.S and Allied Forces

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

David Lindfield – SLAY News March 16, 2026

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is facing mounting criticism over his government’s failure to prevent Iran-backed militias from launching attacks on American and allied personnel across Iraq.

The pressure intensified after a missile reportedly struck a helipad inside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad early Saturday.

Following the incident, the embassy warned that all U.S. citizens in Iraq should leave the country “immediately.”

“Iran-aligned terrorist militias have attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad on multiple occasions,” the embassy said in a statement.

U.S. Condemns Iran-Backed Attacks

A State Department spokesperson condemned the attacks while speaking to Fox News Digital.

“The United States strongly condemns attacks by Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias against U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities, civilian targets, and energy infrastructure in Iraq, particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”

The spokesperson added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on the Iraqi government to take action.

“As Secretary Rubio has said, the Iraqi government must take all possible measures to safeguard U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities and ensure militia groups cannot use Iraqi territory to threaten the United States or the region.”

“Doing so is in Iraq’s interest,” the spokesperson said, adding:

“We retain a range of options to protect our interests.

“We do not preview sanctions or sanction actions.”

Kurdish Officials Point to Government Links With Militias

A Kurdish official speaking anonymously told Fox News that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella network of militias aligned with Iran, receives funding and weapons from the Iraqi government.

“They are paid and armed by the Iraqi government,” the official reportedly said.

“They are on the Iraqi payroll.

“This is not the first time they have fired on the U.S., the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG], and the energy sector.

“These PMF have brazenly attacked U.S. military bases.”

The official added that many PMF leaders are connected to al-Sudani’s governing coalition.

“Many of these leaders are part of al-Sudani’s government and his very coalition.”

Iraqi Government Denies Allegations

An official with the Iraqi Embassy in Washington denied that the prime minister had authorized attacks against Western targets.

“We would like to unequivocally confirm that the allegations claiming the Prime Minister granted a ‘green light’ to any armed group to target U.S. or Western interests are completely false,” the official said.

“The Iraqi government has repeatedly emphasized its firm rejection of any attacks on diplomatic missions or foreign interests.”

The official added that al-Sudani has condemned the violence and ordered authorities to pursue those responsible.

 

Drone Attacks Intensify in Kurdistan

The latest escalation follows a series of drone and missile strikes targeting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where American and coalition forces operate.

According to France 24, a French soldier, Arnaud Frion, was killed during an attack involving an Iranian-designed Shahed drone, according to commanding officer Colonel François-Xavier de la Chesnais.

The Kurdish outlet Rudaw reported that the Kurdistan Region was hit with seven explosive-laden drones early Saturday.

Rudaw reported that since the start of U.S. Operation Epic Fury, the region has endured more than 300 drone and missile attacks, leaving seven people dead and 35 injured.

U.S. Airstrikes Reportedly Target Militias

According to The Long War Journal, U.S. airstrikes, potentially coordinated with Israel, have targeted positions held by Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

Neither the United States nor Israel has publicly confirmed the strikes.

Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization Forces told the Iraqi News Agency that U.S. forces have conducted 32 airstrikes against PMF headquarters since February 28.

The Israeli Defense Forces also confirmed earlier this month that drones have been launched toward Israel from Iraqi territory since the war began.

Calls Grow to Dismantle Iran-Backed Militias

Kurdish officials are now urging the Trump administration to take stronger action against the militias.

One Kurdish official said Washington should pressure Baghdad to stop funding the PMF and target the financial networks supporting them.

“We have shared information with the Iraqis and the Americans,” the official said, adding that the Iraqi government has been unwilling to confront the militias.

“The al-Sudani government has been unwilling to confront them.”

The official said Iraqi authorities had previously made arrests tied to militia activity, but that the suspects were released and later fled to Iran.

PMF Compared to Iranian Revolutionary Guard

Entifadh Qanbar, a former spokesman for Iraq’s deputy prime minister, told Fox News Digital that the PMF functions as a proxy arm of Iran’s military apparatus.

“One could even describe the PMF as the Iraqi branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, effectively functioning as an Iraqi Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Qanbar said.

“The PMF operates through a network of militias that frequently attack U.S. forces, foreign interests, and targets in Kurdistan.”

Qanbar argued that the solution is dismantling the militia umbrella organization entirely.

“The dismantling of the mother organization — the PMF itself,” he said.

“As long as the PMF exists, militias operating under its umbrella will continue to attack U.S. forces and regional targets.”

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