Iranian Regime Urges Iraqi Militia to Retain Weapons Amid Baghdad Disarmament Push

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, has reportedly instructed Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions to retain their weaponry, according to Al Hadath. This directive comes as the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, intensifies its push to bring all armed groups under state control and consolidate weapons under official authority.

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Qaani criticized factions that had agreed to surrender their weapons, reportedly arguing that arms already handed over to the Iraqi government belonged to Iran.

During a recent visit to Baghdad, Qaani allegedly met with leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces and other Iran-aligned groups. Sources cited by Al Hadath claim Qaani criticized factions that had agreed to disarm, asserting that weapons already handed over were Iranian property. He reportedly urged these groups to maintain their military capabilities as a form of leverage in dealings with the United States and advised them that the Iraqi government would be unable to confront these armed factions effectively.

These reported comments and instructions emerge as Baghdad faces significant challenges in asserting state authority over powerful, often Iran-backed, militias. Prime Minister al-Sudani has reportedly directed security forces to prepare for action against groups that refuse to comply with disarmament orders. The situation highlights the delicate political and security balancing act Iraq navigates between domestic factions and regional alliances.

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He also allegedly urged Iraqi factions to maintain their military capabilities and use their position as leverage in dealing with Washington.

Adding another layer to the financial dimension of these alliances, Rudaw reported that an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group is allegedly transferring around $400 million in cash to Iran every month. This massive sum is reportedly transported across the border via trucks. A member of the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defense Committee, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, reportedly discussed these allegations during a meeting, suggesting that a single monthly shipment could amount to approximately four tons of cash. These financial flows, coupled with Qaani's alleged directives on weaponry, underscore the complex web of influence and financial support networks operating within the region.

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According to the report, Qaani told Iraqi leaders that the government would be unable to prevail in any confrontation with the Iran-aligned armed groups.