# Iraq Prepares for Potential Conflict Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions Baghdad deploys troops and grants commanders emergency powers as regional war fears mount. - **Source:** [Asharq Al-Awsat English](https://english.aawsat.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6436cb09-eeec-4b2c-b8dc-5877820b1f29 ## Emergency Military Contingency Plans Iraq has initiated comprehensive contingency plans to address a potential military conflict between Washington and Tehran. Officials confirmed that troops are being deployed to border cities, stretching from Sulaymaniyah in the north to Basra in the south. Commanders have received authorization to respond to armed violations immediately without seeking central approval. ## Decentralized Command Authority Granted Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has granted army commanders exceptional powers to deter armed groups independently. This shift aims to prevent rapid escalations by outlaw factions operating within Iraqi territory. Commanders now hold the authority to confront threats directly, bypassing the traditional requirement to refer every tactical decision to the commander-in-chief. ## Surveillance of Strategic Border Zones Security forces have tightened surveillance across the Iranian border and along the Syrian frontier. Military commanders are focusing specifically on Basra due to fears that armed factions might utilize strategically sensitive locations for regional operations. The government is conducting round-the-clock assessments of unusual movements to ensure national security remains intact. ## Civilian and Administrative Preparedness The Ministerial Council for National Security is discussing emergency measures to protect public infrastructure. Proposals include shifting schools to remote learning and digitally preserving sensitive public-sector records. Authorities are also preparing for a potential influx of displaced people fleeing conflict zones, ensuring that basic services can be maintained during crises. ## Fears of Factional Involvement Baghdad faces mounting anxiety that Shiite armed factions might join the fighting on Tehran's side. Reports indicate these groups have updated their lists of potential targets following orders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps. Officials fear that these factions could drag Iraq into a direct confrontation, undermining the government's official neutrality policy. ## Diplomatic Pressure and Consultations US presidential envoy Tom Barrack met with Prime Minister al-Zaidi to discuss the escalating regional crisis. Barrack is expected to brief officials in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah on the latest developments. Meanwhile, al-Zaidi has reaffirmed that Iraq will not permit its territory to be used as a staging ground for attacking neighboring countries. ## Internal Political Challenges Al-Zaidi has briefed the ruling alliance on the prospect of imminent US strikes against Iran. He urged the Coordination Framework to restrain Iran-aligned factions, warning that their involvement could threaten the country's stability. Some political forces remain deeply divided, fearing that an Iranian defeat could jeopardize their own long-term political survival. ## Scrutiny of Factional Finances Public debate is intensifying regarding the business networks linked to armed factions like Kataib Hezbollah. Activists have circulated details about companies run by faction leaders, raising questions about their financial ambitions. This scrutiny occurs as these groups, which claim to be resistance champions, prepare to engage in a major military confrontation. ## Historical Context of Plans The government first drafted these emergency plans in March, following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, the strategies have been updated regularly to reflect changing regional circumstances. The current level of alarm is described by officials as unprecedented, reflecting the gravity of the potential military fallout for Iraq. ## Regional Security Dynamics The threat of war has forced Iraq to balance its relationship with the United States while managing powerful domestic factions. The government's ability to contain these crises before they escalate remains a primary concern for international observers. Failure to control these groups could lead to Iraq being viewed as a hostile state. ## Operational Readiness Assessment While military and civilian preparations are underway, government sources emphasize that decisions regarding school closures or public sector changes are not yet finalized. The administration is maintaining a state of high alert, monitoring the actions of the IRGC and local militias to prevent any unauthorized military operations from occurring within borders. ## Implications for National Stability Iraq stands at a critical juncture, attempting to navigate the volatile geopolitical landscape between Washington and Tehran. The combination of military deployments, decentralized command, and civilian contingency planning reflects the severity of the situation. The government's primary goal remains preventing the country from becoming a primary theater for a wider regional war. ## Sources covering this story - https://english.aawsat.com/node/5338395 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._