Tehran-Backed Militias Target Iraqi Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Services as Internal Security Fractures Under Iranian Pressure

Iran-backed militias in Iraq target the INIS and Counter-Terrorism Service, killing and injuring officials as they attempt to sever ties between Baghdad and the US.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:32 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Militia Aggression Against Sovereign Iraqi Institutions

The Iranian-backed militia network in Iraq has expanded its target list to include the country’s own elite security services. On March 22, five personnel were injured during a strike on the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), following a March 21 attack on the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) that resulted in one fatality. These institutions are viewed with extreme hostility by Tehran’s local proxies due to their history of professional cooperation with Washington. While these militias publicly claim to be defenders of Iraqi sovereignty, their recent actions demonstrate a willingness to terrorize the very forces tasked with upholding national order.

A Pattern of Threatening Official Government Bodies

The recent violence follows a established precedent of militias targeting Iraqi officials who advocate for independence from Tehran. In 2021, an assassination attempt involving a drone targeted then-Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi after pro-Iran factions suffered significant losses in parliamentary elections. Today, groups like Kataib Hezbollah have intensified this rhetoric, baselessly accusing INIS officers and those of Kurdish origin of being foreign spies. By framing sovereign Iraqi organizations as "American enemies" or "Mossad assets," the militias create a pseudo-legal justification for internal purges and violent interventions against state employees.

Persistent Threats to American Assets and Personnel

Parallel to the internal crackdown, Iraqi militias continue to conduct daily strikes against U.S. logistics and diplomatic facilities. Between March 21 and 22, approximately half a dozen attacks were launched against the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center. Despite a purported "temporary pause" in strikes against the U.S. Embassy announced by Kataib Hezbollah, the group’s leadership has called for a "comprehensive war" against the United States. This suggests that any ceasefire is limited in scope and does not extend to the broader network of American interests and support facilities currently operating within the country.