Iraq’s security apparatus is facing increasing pressure following a series of attacks targeting government institutions and U.S. facilities, prompting warnings from senior officials about the growing influence of armed groups operating within the country.

Speaking on Monday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein described the recent assault on the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) as an internal act, stressing that the government must take stronger action against armed factions responsible for such attacks.

“The government must take strict measures and implement real deterrence, as this situation cannot be allowed to continue in this manner,” Hussein said.

According to the foreign minister, the groups responsible possess not only military capabilities but also organizational and parliamentary influence, allowing them to operate across multiple parts of Iraq, including sensitive government and diplomatic locations.

“They possess power—military, organizational, and parliamentary. This is a clear and obvious fact,” Hussein added.

The remarks come as Iraqi authorities continue investigations into attacks on diplomatic missions, which have been classified as terrorist acts under Iraq’s Law No. 13 of 2005.

Sabah al‑Nu’man, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said authorities are reviewing the incidents to determine their impact on Iraq’s international standing.

“These actions are condemned because they weaken Iraq’s diplomatic standing and cause embarrassment for the government before the international community,” he said in comments to Iraqi media.

Al-Nu’man emphasized that Iraq has recently sought to restore its diplomatic position through regional and international engagement, including presiding over the Arab Summit and participating in several global forums.

He warned that worsening security conditions in Iraq could have broader consequences for the region, including neighboring countries and Gulf states.

Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—Iraq’s state-sanctioned paramilitary coalition that includes pro-Iranian factions—reported that positions belonging to its 15th Brigade were struck by air raids on Monday.

In a statement, the PMF said the attack was carried out by U.S. and Israeli fighter jets, targeting locations within the Northern and Eastern Tigris Operations Command sector. The organization said the strikes caused material damage but no casualties.

The group reiterated its commitment to defending Iraq’s sovereignty despite what it described as repeated attacks on its units.

The developments follow a series of strikes over the weekend targeting both PMF positions and U.S. facilities in Baghdad.

According to reports by Agence France‑Presse (AFP), three strikes late Sunday targeted PMF sites south of Baghdad. At the same time, a U.S. Diplomatic Logistics Center at Baghdad International Airport came under multiple attacks.

Local officials reported that the strikes involved drones and Katyusha rockets across three locations. No casualties were reported because the targeted sites were unoccupied.

Within a 24-hour period from Saturday evening to early Sunday, the U.S. facility was reportedly attacked six times using drones and rocket fire.

Journalist Shvan Jabari of Kurdistan24 reported that 18 drones and rockets struck the compound in western Baghdad, causing damage and fires.

Security forces also discovered a vehicle in the nearby Jihad neighborhood carrying a launcher equipped with ten Katyusha rockets, although it remains unclear whether the vehicle was destroyed during the launch or targeted by U.S. air forces.

The attacks are part of a wider escalation that began after the outbreak of the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran on February 28, 2026, which has heightened tensions across Iraq.

Since the start of the conflict, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has reportedly carried out more than 433 attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities and the embassy in Baghdad, with some operations extending to Erbil.

In response, U.S. forces have conducted at least 32 airstrikes on PMF positions, resulting in 27 fatalities and 57 injuries, according to PMF statements.

Amid the escalation, Kataeb Hezbollah—one of the most influential pro-Iranian factions within the PMF—announced a five-day extension of its temporary suspension of attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The group’s security chief, Abu Mujahid al‑Assaf, said that no new Iraqi government would be formed without the approval of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, warning that any “enemy violations” would trigger retaliation.

The statement also criticized Iraqi political figures who condemned attacks carried out by resistance groups while speaking out against airstrikes targeting PMF bases.

Earlier this month, the faction had set conditions for halting attacks, including:

An end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon
A U.S. commitment not to target residential areas in Iraq
The withdrawal of CIA personnel stationed outside the U.S. embassy compound, except in the Kurdistan Region

The escalating attacks and retaliatory strikes illustrate the complex security environment confronting Iraq.

Pro-Iranian armed factions continue to operate within state-recognized frameworks while carrying out independent military actions, posing significant challenges to the Iraqi government’s authority and ability to maintain stability.