Islamic Resistance in Iraq announces two-week halt to attacks following ceasefire

BAGHDAD — The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced Wednesday it would suspend military operations in Iraq and the broader region for two weeks, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

The umbrella grouping — which includes Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and other Iran-aligned factions formally linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces — has carried out hundreds of drone and rocket attacks across Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries since the regional war began Feb. 28.

The ceasefire is a temporary two-week agreement reached shortly before a U.S. deadline for further strikes on Iran. It includes steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to be followed by negotiations mediated by Pakistan.

The conflict began when U.S. and Israeli forces struck Iranian military sites and infrastructure in late February, triggering retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region. Iraq was among the most acutely affected countries — losing access to its main southern export terminals, seeing Iranian gas supplies cut off and enduring repeated strikes on military installations, diplomatic missions and civilian infrastructure throughout the five-week conflict.