DOHA — A coalition of six Arab countries has called on Iraq to rein in Shiite militias accused of launching strikes against neighboring states, marking a sharp escalation in regional pressure on Baghdad at a moment of profound instability across the Middle East.
In a joint statement released Wednesday, the countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, urged the Iraqi government to take “necessary measures for the immediate cessation” of attacks carried out by armed groups from Iraqi territory. The warning comes amid a surge in drone and missile offensive strikes across the Gulf, raising fears that Iraq is becoming a central launchpad in a rapidly expanding regional conflict.
The statement emphasized the importance of preserving “fraternal relations” with Iraq but made clear that patience is wearing thin. The signatories also reaffirmed their “full and inalienable right to self-defense” under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, signaling that further attacks could trigger direct retaliation.
The diplomatic intervention reflects mounting alarm among Gulf states as violence linked to Iran-aligned militias spreads beyond Iraq’s borders. In recent days, attacks attributed to such groups have targeted strategic sites across the region, including critical infrastructure and energy facilities, underscoring the growing reach of armed factions operating within Iraq.
For Iraq, the warning presents a difficult balancing act. The government in Baghdad has long struggled to assert full control over the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a powerful network of predominantly Shiite militias that were formally integrated into the state’s security apparatus but retain significant autonomy. These groups have become central actors in the broader regional conflict engulfing the Middle East.
Since late February, hundreds of attacks have been reported either within Iraq or launched from its territory toward regional targets, with the majority attributed to Shiite armed factions. Analysts warn that this escalation risks transforming Iraq into a permanent frontline in a widening proxy war.
The Gulf states’ statement also highlights a deeper concern: that Iraq’s internal security fragmentation is now directly threatening regional stability. By invoking the right to self-defense, the countries signaled a readiness to act unilaterally if Baghdad fails to curb militia operations, a prospect that risks further militarizing an already volatile environment.
At the same time, Iraq itself is facing intensifying external pressure. Iraqi officials said they would file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council following offensive airstrikes that targeted positions of the Popular Mobilization Forces, including a military-linked medical facility in western Iraq. The offensive strikes reportedly killed at least seven personnel, drawing strong condemnation from Baghdad, which described the incident as a violation of its sovereignty.
The episode underscores Iraq’s precarious position: caught between demands from neighboring states to restrain militias and ongoing military actions targeting those same groups. Iraqi leaders have repeatedly insisted that the country should not be used as a staging ground for regional attacks, yet their ability to enforce that principle remains in question.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani now faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts. Domestically, the PMF and affiliated factions wield considerable political and military influence, complicating efforts to impose tighter control. Internationally, both Gulf states and Western powers are demanding decisive action to prevent further escalation.
The broader context is a rapidly intensifying regional crisis. Iranian-aligned groups have carried out attacks on US bases and allied infrastructure, while US forces have intensified offensive airstrikes against Iran-linked armed groups across Iraq.
This cycle of retaliation has heightened fears that the conflict could evolve into a full-scale regional war. Attacks on Gulf infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities, have already disrupted economic stability and exposed vulnerabilities once thought to be contained.
For the Gulf states, the stakes are particularly high. Many of the targeted sites are critical to national economies and energy exports, and repeated offensive strikes have underscored the strategic risks posed by non-state actors operating beyond direct state control.
Analysts say the warning to Iraq reflects a shift toward a more coordinated regional posture, as Arab states seek to deter further escalation without being drawn fully into open conflict. Yet the possibility of miscalculation remains high, particularly as militia activity intensifies.
Efforts to disarm or fully integrate these groups into state structures have repeatedly stalled. Some factions continue to operate independently, maintaining their own chains of command and pursuing broader strategic objectives aligned with regional power struggles.
The situation is further complicated by overlapping alliances and rivalries. Iraq’s role as both a sovereign state and a host to powerful armed factions places it at the center of competing pressures that are becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile.
Meanwhile, ongoing strikes and counterstrikes continue to reshape the region’s security landscape. Reports of airstrikes and retaliatory operations across multiple theaters highlight the expanding scope of the conflict, raising concerns about long-term instability.
For now, the message from the Gulf is unmistakable: continued attacks from Iraqi territory will not be tolerated. Whether Baghdad can respond effectively, and avoid being drawn deeper into a widening war, may determine the trajectory of the Middle East in the weeks ahead.
