In a significant development, the United States Congress has successfully passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a $886 billion defense policy bill. This legislation, now awaiting President Joe Biden's signature, includes a provision aimed at enhancing the defensive capabilities of Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

The specific provision, introduced by Representative Don Bacon, mandates the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to develop a plan of action by February 1, 2024. This plan focuses on equipping and training Iraqi and Kurdish forces to defend against missile, rocket, and unmanned system attacks, particularly those originating from Iran and its proxy forces in the region.

The plan outlines the provision of available equipment, including air defense systems, to counter these threats, along with comprehensive training for Iraqi and Kurdish forces on effectively utilizing the provided equipment. The implementation of this plan is required within 90 days of its development, although potential delays are allowed if they are deemed necessary to avoid adverse impacts on U.S. stock and readiness.

Representative Don Bacon highlighted the necessity of bolstering defensive capabilities, citing frequent attacks by Iran and its proxy forces in the region on both Iraqi and Kurdish forces. Iran-backed militias, responsible for numerous rocket and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, have escalated their activities, with at least 89 separate attacks on U.S. troops reported in the past two months.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad recently became a target of a rocket attack, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to condemn attacks on diplomatic missions as terrorism. While the U.S. has condemned these strikes and urged Baghdad to intervene, it has also asserted its right to self-defense, responding with air and drone strikes.

Bilal Wahab, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, emphasized the escalating threat and increased danger posed by these attacks. He noted that while the U.S. may not seek confrontation with militias or Iran, the priority is self-defense and protection of its interests in the region.

This legislative move follows Iran's dissatisfaction in June when the air defense provision was introduced into the NDAA. Iran sought an explanation from the Iraqi government, emphasizing the importance of maintaining neighborly relations.

The Kurdistan Region's Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed recently met with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who commended Iraq for implementing a security agreement. The agreement includes Iraq's commitment to disarm Iranian Kurdish opposition forces on the border, with Tehran accusing these groups of instigating unrest in Iran.