Houthi movement expands operational presence in Iraq

Intelligence sources indicate that the Houthi movement has expanded its operational presence within Iraq, coordinating with Iranian-backed armed factions to develop drones, missiles, and improvised explosive devices. Rather than maintaining independent camps, Houthi elements utilize shared headquarters and offices with Iraqi militias.

Key operational hubs include the Jurf al-Sakhar area south of Baghdad, which is under the control of Kata'ib Hezbollah. Coordination activities and offices are also reported in Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, Maysan, Muthanna, Wasit, Babylon, and Diyala. Some elements are reportedly located near the Saudi Arabian border.

The cooperation is allegedly organized with involvement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanese Hezbollah. Reports suggest that a high-ranking Houthi leader entered Iraq in 2024 using a forged passport despite being on US terror lists, but was reportedly assisted in exiting Baghdad airport by armed factions before arrest.

This presence follows the death of Houthi drone expert Hussein Abdullah Mastour al-Sha'bal in a July 2024 US airstrike in Iraq. The expansion of Houthi activities has led to repeated requests from the United States for Iraqi authorities to limit the group's movement and close its offices within the country.