United States and Saudi Arabian strikes against Iran backed Shi’ite armed groups in Iraq have renewed attention on the powerful militias that have become major players in Iraq’s security, politics, and economy. Washington and Riyadh accuse these groups of carrying out drone attacks against Saudi oil facilities, while the militias say they are resisting U.S. and Israeli influence in the region.
Over the past two decades, these factions have evolved from insurgent groups into influential organizations capable of shaping Iraqi politics and regional security.
How the Militias Rose to Power
The Shi’ite militias emerged after the 2003 U.S. led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Backed financially and militarily by Iran, many of these groups expanded rapidly, developing military capabilities that rival Iraq’s regular armed forces. Over time, they also established strong political influence by securing seats in parliament, participating in government institutions, and building extensive business networks.
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Today, they are deeply embedded in Iraq’s political, economic, and security landscape.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Most of the major militias operate under the umbrella organization known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
According to Iraqi security officials, the alliance includes around ten hardline Shi’ite factions with an estimated 50,000 fighters. Their arsenal reportedly includes drones, long range missiles, and anti aircraft weapons.
The group forms an important part of Iran’s regional network of allied armed organizations.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for numerous missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. military forces stationed in Iraq and Syria.
The United States has repeatedly urged Baghdad to curb the activities of these groups.
Kataib Hezbollah
Kataib Hezbollah is widely regarded as the most powerful militia within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
Founded during the mid 2000s by Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, the group maintains particularly close ties with Iran. Muhandis was killed alongside Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad Airport in 2020.
The militia is believed to have around 10,000 fighters and possesses drones, rockets, and short range ballistic missiles.
Over the years, the United States has conducted multiple strikes against Kataib Hezbollah bases, logistics centers, and training facilities.
The group also fought alongside other Shi’ite militias in Syria’s civil war and has been linked by Iraqi officials to the 2023 kidnapping of Israeli Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in Baghdad.
Asaib Ahl al Haq
Another influential faction is Asaib Ahl al Haq, led by Qais al Khazali.
Khazali first gained prominence following the U.S. invasion and was arrested by American forces in 2007 over allegations of involvement in an attack that killed five U.S. soldiers. He spent around three years in detention before being released.
Originally a member of Moqtada al Sadr’s Mehdi Army, Khazali later established Asaib Ahl al Haq as an independent militia.
The group fought against Islamic State after 2014 and has remained politically active in Iraq. Khazali has sought to cultivate a more mainstream political profile while continuing to lead one of Iraq’s most influential armed organizations.
Although he has called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, he did not actively participate in attacks on American bases during the Gaza conflict and has also been involved with Iraq’s education ministry.
Khazali has denied accusations linking his militia to sectarian killings during Iraq’s civil war.
Why These Groups Matter
The influence of Iran backed militias extends far beyond military operations.
Their integration into Iraq’s political institutions gives them substantial leverage over government decisions, while their military capabilities make them key actors in regional conflicts involving Iran, Israel, the United States, and Gulf Arab states.
Their activities also complicate Baghdad’s efforts to balance relations between Tehran and Washington while maintaining internal stability.
Analysis
The growing prominence of Iraq’s Iran backed armed groups illustrates how non state actors have become central players in Middle Eastern security. Originally formed to resist foreign intervention and later fight extremist organizations, many of these militias have transformed into powerful political and military institutions with influence extending well beyond Iraq’s borders.
For the United States and its regional allies, these groups represent a persistent security challenge because they operate as part of Iran’s broader regional network while remaining embedded within Iraq’s state structures. For Baghdad, however, confronting them remains politically difficult given their electoral influence, military strength, and social support. As regional tensions continue to rise, these militias are likely to remain a decisive factor in Iraq’s domestic politics and the wider balance of power across the Middle East.
With information from Reuters.
