Iraq raids drone-manufacturing plant as pressure mounts to curb militia attacks

Iraqi authorities dismantled a drone-manufacturing workshop in Baghdad on Thursday, arresting three individuals as part of a major operation targeting Iran-backed militias. The raid, conducted following intelligence efforts and judicial approval, resulted in the seizure of 25 drone frames and assembly equipment. Authorities are now investigating another site.

The explosives-laden drones have become a primary weapon for Iran-backed militias, capable of reaching targets in Iraq and the broader region, including Israel. These small, commercially adapted UAVs and larger "suicide" drones are cheap, hard to detect, and can be assembled in makeshift workshops like the one dismantled in Baghdad.

The proliferation of these drones has made them a tool for groups seeking to pressure the US and its regional allies without direct responsibility. Last month, US-Saudi air strikes hit Popular Mobilisation Forces bases, killing at least 20 fighters. In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi ordered the establishment of a new desert command to secure the borders.

This highlights mounting pressure on Al Zaidi to rein in armed factions operating outside state control, amid US warnings that attacks threaten stability and regional relations. Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries have urged Iraq to secure its borders in exchange for economic and security cooperation. The government is grappling with the challenge of disarming militias while respecting their role in defeating ISIS and seeking a negotiated disarmament solution rather than a forced crackdown.