Powerful Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq Say They Will Start Handing in Weapons to Authorities
Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Imam Ali Brigades said they will inventory fighters and weapons as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi seeks state control.
- On Tuesday, two powerful Iran-backed militias, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Imam Ali Brigades, announced they would begin handing weapons to state authorities, marking a major shift in Iraq's effort to rein in armed groups.
- Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker sworn in last month, has prioritized a state monopoly on arms under pressure from Washington to curb Iran-linked factions threatening defense cooperation and funding.
- The groups cast their decision as a response to calls from Iraq's top Shiite religious authority and the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, the largest bloc in Parliament, aiming to build a state with full sovereignty.
- This move follows a similar decision by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Peace Brigades militia recently split from his political movement to integrate into state institutions, setting a precedent for other armed factions.
- Rejecting disarmament, powerful groups including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba cite foreign troop presence and pledge to continue armed activity as what they describe as "resistance work," complicating Baghdad's consolidation efforts.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Several Iranian-backed militias in Iraq say they accept state control of weapons
Iraq’s new government is attempting to bring weapons held by Iranian-backed militias under state control, a move that could reshape the role of armed groups linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Several militias have announced plans to place their arms under government authority and disengage from the PMF, while others remain opposed or have issued mixed signals. The post Several Iranian-backed militias in Iraq say they accept state c…
Iraq’s Asaib Ahl al-Haq announces step to separate from PMF
Hours after Iraq's ruling Coordination Framework coalition authorised Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to monopolise weapons under state control, the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, led by Qais al-Khazali, announced that it had begun "implementing procedures to separate from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)". The group, regarded as one of Iran's most prominent allies in Iraq, said the move came in response to US pressure and as an attempt to retain it…
The successive ‘integration’ decisions taken by influential armed groups in Iraq are being debated. Speaking to Aydınlık, journalist Gök stated that what is happening is less of a disarmament and more of an attempt to reposition themselves within the state system.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
