Iraqi officials are currently investigating potential strikes on storage facilities containing Chinese-made air defense systems that were reportedly handed over from Iran to militia groups. This information comes from a report by the Arab news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat.
These strikes, as detailed in the report citing unnamed government and security sources, targeted two separate locations believed to have been storing man-portable air defense systems. It is claimed that these sites suffered significant damage due to the attacks, which occurred shortly after the systems were delivered from Iran.
One insider revealed that “the armed faction that selected the site to store the air defense systems believed it would be extremely difficult to access or detect.” The timing of the suspected attack closely coincided with the arrival of the shipments to these depots.
Asharq Al-Awsat did not specify which air defense systems were involved and noted that their reports, including the potential shipment of the systems to Iraq, could not be verified independently. Notably, China’s Foreign Ministry had previously denied allegations of sales of military hardware to Iran.
Additional reporting indicated that Iran was poised to receive a shipment of around 400 Chinese shoulder-fired missile launchers while it reinforced its defense capabilities.
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Sources say Iraq suspects that strikes on 2 Chinese air defence systems supplied to Iranian proxy militias by Iran on October 17 were conducted by Israel.
Also according to sources cited by a-Sharq al-Awsat, a series of explosions in areas around Baghdad on October 1 targeted… pic.twitter.com/vpbCdYrxsQ
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) October 25, 2026
The report also mentioned an explosion on October 17 at a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) facility situated in Baghdad. This group, which includes Iranian-backed militias, stated that a fire was contained following an explosion at a munitions stockpile.
An unnamed Iraqi official revealed that the investigation into this explosion is ongoing. Interestingly, sources noted that this incident followed a series of explosions that began in early October, targeting warehouses linked to various factions.
A security official hinted at a possible Israeli involvement in these warehouse strikes, although the precise method of attack has yet to be determined. Another Iraqi official stated that conclusive evidence identifying the attackers is still pending.
Sources close to militia leadership disclosed that Iranian-aligned groups are actively using the ceasefire with the U.S. to relocate and strategically position weapons. A prominent political advisor mentioned that recent events may indicate a quiet resurgence of hostilities between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran within Iraqi borders.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq recently claimed to have recorded 171 violations of Iraqi airspace by various military aircraft in October. Furthermore, Kataib Hezbollah’s faction leader reaffirmed their commitment to halting offensive operations, excluding responses to “aircraft and hostile airspace violations.”
Lastly, an official part of the Coordination Framework disclosed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders had instructed Iraqi militia heads to fortify defenses against possible aerial threats.
