Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly established clandestine cells within Iraq to conduct drone strikes against U.S.-linked military assets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. According to eight Iraqi sources who spoke with Reuters, these units operate outside the command structure of established regional militias, reporting directly to the IRGC to evade detection and maintain operational secrecy.
Why is Iran shifting its tactical approach in Iraq?
The creation of these specialized cells marks a strategic pivot for the IRGC as it seeks to maintain power projection despite dwindling resources and the political cooling of its traditional proxies. According to five militia commanders interviewed by Reuters, the IRGC is moving away from large-scale reliance on established groups like the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” which have faced internal pressure to pivot toward domestic politics.
Jasim Al Bahadli, a retired Iraqi army general, notes that the new units are smaller, more ideologically rigid, and under tighter control than previous iterations. This centralization allows Tehran to sustain its regional influence even as major factions—such as Asaib Ahl Al Haq and the Brigade Imam Ali—move to surrender weapons to state authorities to avoid direct conflict with the U.S. administration.
The “Poros Perlawanan” (Axis of Resistance) represents a network of Iranian-backed groups stretching from Gaza and Lebanon to Yemen and Iraq, forming the backbone of Tehran’s regional security strategy.
How do these clandestine cells operate?
Operating from remote desert locations near the southern Iraqi cities of Basra and Samawa, these cells conduct sporadic, high-precision strikes. Three sources familiar with the operations told Reuters that between April 20 and May 17, these units launched at least seven drone attacks against targets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Each cell consists of roughly 10 elite Shia Muslim fighters. By bypassing the broader militia infrastructure, these units minimize the risk of intelligence leaks. This marks a departure from earlier tactics where large groups claimed responsibility for attacks, often inviting immediate retaliatory air strikes from U.S. and Israeli forces.
The future of proxy warfare in the Middle East
The shift toward smaller, covert units suggests a long-term Iranian strategy to conserve economic and military capital. As regional tensions persist, the ability to launch targeted strikes while maintaining plausible deniability serves as a primary tool for Tehran.
While established militias signal a willingness to de-escalate to avoid further U.S. military intervention, the IRGC’s creation of these direct-reporting cells ensures that Iran retains a “strike-ready” capability. Analysts suggest this creates a bifurcated landscape: public political posturing by Iraqi factions alongside quiet, high-stakes military escalation by IRGC-controlled specialists.
When analyzing regional security, watch for discrepancies between the public statements of local political factions and the operational tempo of clandestine actors. The two often operate on separate tracks to achieve different goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who controls these new secretive units?
- The units are controlled directly by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), bypassing the command structure of established Iraqi militias.
- What is the primary mission of these cells?
- According to reports, they are tasked with conducting sporadic drone attacks against military assets in Gulf countries that facilitate U.S. operations.
- Why are major Iraqi militias surrendering their weapons?
- Influential Shia factions are signaling a move toward domestic politics to avoid escalating conflict with the U.S. following warnings to dissolve armed groups.
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