Iranian backed militias are increasing their attacks on US troops that remain in Iraq making June one of the deadliest months in the last two years. The Shiite militia groups have made it very clear that they do not want the US military to remain in the country after the end of this year.

According to Iraqi officials, there are three separate militia groups that are responsible for the deadly attacks on the American soldiers. The most prominent of these is Hezbollah Brigades which is small but very deadly. Funding and training for this particular group is allegedly being provided by the Iran Elite Revolution Guard and the Special Ops Wing, Quds Force.

Statements by the militant groups have stated that the risk of violence against the American troops will only be increased if they remain in Iraq longer than the end of this year. According to sources, the government in Baghdad have suggested that they may ask the American troops to remain longer because the security forces remain “fragile.”

Experts in the area are concerned that Iran may begin to exert undue influence in Iraq after the Americans leave. The Iraqi parliment has mean while called on all groups, including all three of the militia, to support the government in Baghdad, no matter what.

Most of the most recent attacks have been carried out by IRAMS. These, large rockets are the hallmark of Hezbollah Brigades as well as a secondary group, the Kataib Hezbollah. The latter relies on Iran exclusively for all support, including funding and training. Hezbollah Brigades, which is linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon, is focusing on attacking the US troops. That group is already claiming responsibility for a June 6th rocket attack that killed several members of the troops. They are also claiming responsibility for the latest IRAM rocket attack which was deployed on a remote base near the Iraq-Iran border.

Hezbollah Brigades is estimated to only have around one thousand members altogether but receives unlimited funding from Iran with each being paid between $300 and $500 each month. US officials have said that it is difficult to get any real information on these groups because infiltrating them is nearly impossible and each cell is kept separated from the others in case one is breached by a military operative.

The US forces in Iraq have had five attack related deaths in the month of June, the highest number for a single month since June of 2009. The number of deaths since March 2003 stands at 4469.

There has been no confirmation that the Iraqis will ask the US troops to remain in the country after the end of the year as of yet, but it is something that has been pondered according to several, credible sources. The Iraqi troops have been trained and will take over their own security and protection when the US troops leave at the end of the year, unless they are asked to remain in the country for a longer time frame.