US-Israeli understanding allows strikes on armed factions in Iraq

Western sources said Washington has given Israel, according to Iram News, greater operational freedom to operate in the regional airspace surrounding Iraq, potentially allowing it to carry out strikes against Iran-aligned armed factions.

The sources said the US administration has been briefed on Israeli plans to prevent the factions from repositioning and strengthening their military capabilities. At the same time, Washington has pledged to reinforce its defensive systems to protect its remaining forces and interests in the region against possible retaliatory attacks.

They added that the Israeli military and Mossad have, according to Western intelligence reports, completed military and operational preparations for airstrikes and attacks targeting headquarters and weapons depots belonging to Iran-aligned armed factions inside Iraq.

According to the sources, Israel believes the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq could pave the way for the strengthening of overland supply routes between Iran and Lebanon through Iraqi territory. It has expressed concerns that these routes could be used to transfer weapons, military equipment, drones and missiles to the armed factions.

The Israeli plans, according to the same sources, prioritize cutting supply lines through Iraqi territory to prevent Iraq from being used as a rear base for supplying Iran-linked factions.

The developments come amid Iraqi efforts to place all weapons under state control, while reports say several armed factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have refused to give up their strategic arsenals.

ANHA