India, March 26 -- A coalition of six Arab countries has called on Iraq to rein in Shiite militias accused of launching strikes against neighboring states, marking a sharp escalation in regional pressure on Baghdad at a moment of profound instability across the Middle East.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, the countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, urged the Iraqi government to take "necessary measures for the immediate cessation" of attacks carried out by armed groups from Iraqi territory. The warning comes amid a surge in drone and missile offensive strikes across the Gulf, raising fears that Iraq is becoming a central launchpad in a rapidly expanding regional conflict.

The sta...