U.S. 101ST AIRBORNE BRIGADE DEPLOYS TO ERBIL, RAISING CONCERNS IN IRAQ
The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division has been deployed to Erbil in northern Iraq, prompting concern among some Iraqi analysts about the implications of the move.
For years following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, forces from the 101st Airborne were stationed at Ain al-Asad Air Base. After the base was closed, the unit was transferred to Al-Harir Air Base in northern Iraq.
The presence of the airborne unit in Erbil has drawn increased scrutiny following a recent U.S. operation in Venezuela that Iraqi commentators have described as a kidnapping operation. Critics say the deployment has revived concerns about the role of U.S. forces in Iraq, pointing to what they describe as a history of similar operations over the past two decades.
Iraqi political analyst Athir al-Sharaa said in an interview with an Iranian media outlet that the deployment could have serious consequences. “The presence of this brigade in Erbil carries dangerous implications,” he said, adding that the government in Baghdad should respond to the issue and that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should provide transparency, describing the situation as a threat to all parties.
Al-Sharaa said the 101st Airborne’s operational role is, in his view, comparable to that of U.S. Delta Force units involved in the operation in Caracas, arguing that the brigade has offensive capabilities. He said the unit entered Iraq during the 2003 invasion of Baghdad and was responsible for numerous arrest operations during that period.
In recent months, officials from the 101st Airborne have held several meetings with senior KRG officials, some of which were reported by local media. Analysts say such engagements could be interpreted as a signal, noting that the brigade is known for air assault operations and helicopter-borne missions rather than routine duties.
Some Iraqi observers interpret the deployment as part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen its military presence in Iraqi Kurdistan, potentially turning the region into an advanced base in line with what they describe as Washington’s regional security strategy, particularly amid heightened regional tensions.
Another Iraqi political analyst, Ibrahim al-Sarraj, said the United States could carry out actions against figures opposed to its policies. “We must consider the possibility that the United States may undertake actions against individuals who oppose Washington’s policymaking,” he said.
(Folks, president Trump is preparing to oust the Iranian militia in Iraq if they aren’t dismantled by the Iraqi forces. Could it be any clearer? We also just witnessed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard revealed on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) that the commander of the Quds Force in the Revolutionary Guard, Major General Ismail Qaani, arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on an unannounced visit. Why do you think he arrived?)
Al-Sarraj described what he called U.S. behavior outside established norms as recurring, citing the Venezuela operation as an example. He said Washington shows little regard for national sovereignty or international law, adding that similar actions could occur elsewhere, including in Iraq.
He further warned that such operations might not be limited to Iraq, suggesting they could also take place in other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.
Some analysts have also criticized the Kurdistan Regional Government for what they describe as silence over U.S. military movements, arguing that this could undermine Iraq’s sovereignty at a time when there are warnings that the country could be drawn into broader regional conflict.