Kataib Hezbollah to prepare for ‘war,’ warns KRG amid US-Iran tensions

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s pro-Iran Kataib Hezbollah on Thursday called on its fighters to prepare for what it described as a potential “war of attrition,” while warning the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) against cooperating with what it called “hostile foreign forces,” amid heightened US-Iran tensions and military movements in the region.

In a late Thursday statement, the group said “amidst American threats and the military buildup that portends a dangerous escalation in the region, we emphasize the necessity for all Mujahideen [fighters] to prepare to wage a war of attrition that may be long-term, exceeding the estimates of the US administration.”

The warning comes as the United States has deployed warships and fighter jets in what is described as the largest military buildup in the Middle East in decades. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if talks fail, while Tehran has previously employed aggressive tactics, including blocking a key international waterway during earlier rounds of negotiations.

“Should evil America proceed to ignite the fuse of war in the region, it will find itself facing massive losses that cannot be contained or recovered,” read the statement.

The remarks came despite the conclusion of a third round of talks on Thursday between the US and Iran in Geneva without a final agreement. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi, who is mediating the talks, announced that both seides are set to hold another round of “technical level” talks in Vienna next week.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that “good progress” had been made.

Kataib Hezbollah, in addition to its warning to Washington, said that “we warn the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq against the consequences of colluding with hostile foreign forces, as this will impose additional burdens upon it that may threaten its security and future.”

Iran-backed groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have increasingly portrayed the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces as US proxies that undermine Iraqi sovereignty and facilitate a Western military presence. The Peshmerga are an officially recognized regional security force and gained international recognition in 2014 for their frontline role against the Islamic State after the collapse of the Iraqi army.

The KRG’s interior ministry said Sunday the Kurdistan Region “has been a factor of stability and peace in the region and has never been a source of threat or danger to the security of any neighboring country.” This came after an announcement earlier in the day by Kurdish opposition parties in Iran of a new political alliance aimed at unifying efforts against the Islamic republic and advancing Kurdish self-determination.

Kataib Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. In August, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani dismissed the commanders of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) brigades 45 and 46, which are linked to the group, and referred them to the judiciary over a July attack on the agriculture ministry that killed two people and wounded dozens.

Washington has increased pressure on Baghdad to curb Iranian influence and reduce the role of Iran-backed armed groups. The United States has reportedly urged Iraq to dissolve all armed factions, including those integrated into state structures such as the PMF.

Washington believes that Iran continues to act through several proxy groups in Iraq, some of which have previously targeted US interests.