Report: Iraq Arrests Iran-Linked Cell Planning Attacks Abroad

Iraqi security forces arrested in Babylon province a cell of three militia members planning drone attacks outside the country, according to a report by Al Arabiya citing Iraqi sources. Weapons and advanced drones were seized. The report comes amid Baghdad's efforts to curb pro-Iranian militia activity, after they threatened to respond to Saudi-American strikes in Iraq.

Iraqi security forces arrested in Babylon province a cell of three individuals belonging to armed militias, which was planning to carry out drone attacks outside the country's territory. This was reported overnight (Sunday) by Al Arabiya, citing sources in Iraq. According to the report, a joint force of Iraqi security agencies arrested the three and seized weapons and advanced drones that were in preparation stages for cross-border attacks. The sources said the cell members had direct ties with Iranian elements involved in developing and executing drone attacks. It was not disclosed which countries or targets were to be attacked. In June, Reuters reported, based on eight Iraqi sources, that the Revolutionary Guards had established several small cells in the country operating directly under their command, outside the normal chain of command of pro-Iranian militias. According to the report, the cells carried out at least seven drone attacks against targets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE between April and May. Baghdad has recently been trying to increase oversight over armed groups operating outside state control. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Ziyadi reiterated over the weekend that his country would not allow its territory to be used to carry out attacks against other countries. He said this in a meeting with the Saudi intelligence chief, amid growing tension between Riyadh and Iraqi militias affiliated with Iran. The tension escalated after Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the US Central Command, last month struck targets of pro-Iranian groups in Iraq, which it claimed were involved in attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The militias threatened retaliation, but the 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq', an umbrella framework for several groups, announced on Friday that it had postponed a planned response following an appeal by Shia leader Hadi al-Amiri. The organization did not specify the form or target of the planned response.