Iraq to Upgrade Air Defense Systems Following Regional Airstrikes
At a Glance
- Prime Minister Ali Zaidi ordered Iraqi forces onto high alert following recent foreign airstrikes on PMF positions.
- Iraq will accelerate the procurement and deployment of modern radar, early-warning, and air defense systems.
- Military authorities announced plans to update preventive intelligence frameworks and strictly enforce state control over weapons.
- The directives follow joint US-Saudi airstrikes on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) compounds that left 20 dead.
In a statement to the official Iraqi News Agency, Sabah Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, announced that Iraq is actively moving to strengthen its air defense capabilities and intensify intelligence operations following US and Saudi strikes on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) positions.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- High Readiness Orders: Prime Minister Ali Zaidi commanded all military bases and garrisons to raise their alert status and expedite armaments plans for modern air defense and early-warning radar systems.
- Preemptive Intelligence: Security agencies are updating preventive intelligence operations to thwart potential unauthorized incursions or targeted strikes.
- State Control of Weapons: Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to strictly confining all weaponry to state control and preventing unsanctioned actions by non-state actors.
Following the military directives, defense officials emphasized the necessity of securing national airspace against uncoordinated foreign military actions. Iraq continues to face complex security challenges as regional hostilities spill over into its territory.
The military announcements follow Wednesday's joint US-Saudi airstrikes against several PMF facilities, which resulted in 20 fatalities. Riyadh accused local groups of launching attacks against its oil infrastructure from within Iraq—a claim Baghdad firmly denies, maintaining that Iraqi territory is not utilized as a launchpad for regional attacks.
FYI:
Iraq's air defense network has long relied on legacy systems and short-range equipment, leaving its airspace vulnerable to foreign military operations and unauthorized drone transits. Efforts to acquire advanced long-range defense technology, such as modern radar units and surface-to-air missile batteries, have historically faced diplomatic and geopolitical hurdles. Accelerating defense procurement reflects Baghdad's intent to assert sovereign control over its skies and reduce reliance on external security guarantees amid escalating regional friction.
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