Security
A key figure in an Iraqi armed group killed in March
Following the death of Kata'ib Hizbullah's Abu Ali al-Askari, the group has escalated its aggression, threatened regional security and further strained Baghdad's ties with allies.
![Abu Ali al-Askari, the spokesperson for Iraqi Kata'ib Hizbullah, speaks during a campaign rally in Baghdad. [Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP]](/gc1/images/2026/03/24/55219-1-600_384.webp)
By Al-Fassel |
On March 16, Kata'ib Hizbullah (KH), announced the death of Abu Ali al-Askari, its influential security chief, and honored him as a "martyr."
Al-Askari was a key figure in KH's operations, known for planning attacks and issuing threats against US interests and serving as the militia's spokesperson.
His death leaves a significant leadership gap within KH and heightens tensions in Iraq, where Iranian-aligned militias remain key contributors to national and regional instability.
Undermining Iraq's sovereignty
KH's actions have increasingly strained Iraq's international relationships and drawn the country into regional conflicts.
![One of the caskets of two slain fighters from the pro-Iran paramilitary group Kata'ib Hizbullah, killed in a strike on their site in Baghdad's al-Jadriya area, is carried during their funeral in Najaf, Iraq, in March 2026. [Qassem al-Kaabi/AFP]](/gc1/images/2026/03/24/55221-2-600_384.webp)
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani has struggled to disarm and rein in pro-Iranian factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization that includes KH.
Despite Sudani's calls for restraint, KH and PMF groups have increased missile and drone attacks since February 2026.
The strikes targeted multiple locations, including US bases, Iraqi airports and oil facilities concentrated around Erbil and Baghdad.
These attacks have transformed Iraq into a secondary battleground, drawing US strikes which further complicate Baghdad's partnerships with Western nations.
Notably, US strikes targeted prominent figures such as Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi of KH, who, according to reports, has been hospitalized.
This highlights the escalating conflict between Iran-aligned militia groups (IAMGs) such as KH and Washington.
Regional implications
KH's aggressive strategy extends beyond Iraq's borders, as seen in its threats to arm "resistance" groups in neighboring countries like Jordan.
Such actions risk alienating Iraq from its Arab neighbors and allies, particularly at a time when regional cooperation is crucial for economic recovery and stability.
Additionally, KH has targeted US-aligned nations like the UAE and NATO facilities in Iraq's Kurdish-controlled areas, undermining Iraqi sovereignty while advancing Iranian regional strategies.
Iran's actions have exacerbated Iraq's economic struggles, supported by KH's attacks on infrastructure, which have significantly reduced oil production across the country and the region.
Oil exports have dropped by 70 percent due to the Strait of Hormuz blockage, jeopardizing over 90 percent of Iraq's government revenue.
This economic fallout has led to nationwide gas shortages and electricity blackouts, further stalling infrastructure development.
With reduced income, Iraq faces the risk of insolvency by April, raising fears of unrest as the government struggles to meet payroll obligations.
The death of al-Askari accentuates the vulnerability of Iraq's stability and sovereignty in the face of ongoing militia-driven aggression.
KH's unchecked actions, aligned with Iran's regional ambitions, threaten to turn Iraq into a hub of destabilization.
This development risks alienating Iraq from its Arab neighbors and further deepening the nation's reliance on Tehran.
To restore stability and a better life for its citizens, Iraq should prioritize limiting the influence of militias across its territory and governorates.