The Voices of War 131. Iraq Faces Collapse as Iran War Threatens the Region | Dr Ghassan Jawad Kadhim
Mar 25, 2026
Dr Ghassan Jawad Kadhim, Iraqi political adviser and analyst, unpacks Iraq’s precarious position amid widening Iran-related conflict. He discusses Iraq being attacked from multiple sides. He explains the difference between PMF and Iranian-aligned militias. He outlines economic fallout, Basra oil disruptions, and risks to social cohesion and governance.
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Iraq Is Being Hit From Four Sides
- Iraq is being attacked "from four sides": internal factions, US strikes, Israeli strikes, and Iranian-linked operations, making the country a multi-directional war zone.
- Ghassan says attacks hit Iraqi soil, bases, and regions like Erbil, Baghdad and Kurdistan, creating pervasive insecurity and unpredictability.
PMF Versus Iranian-Aligned Factions
- The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are not a monolith; many armed factions operate outside PMF command and answer to Iranian leadership.
- Ghassan distinguishes PMF units that report to the prime minister from separate factions like Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba that follow Iran's chain of command.
Strikes Against PMF Undermine Iraqi Government
- US strikes often hit PMF-designated targets, which inflames public anger because many Iraqis view PMF as part of the government.
- Ghassan warns that targeting PMF weakens the Iraqi government's legitimacy and complicates governance.