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Iraq gives pro-Iran militias until Sept. 30 to dissolve
🇵🇸 Palestine /Conflict & Security

Iraq gives pro-Iran militias until Sept. 30 to dissolve

From Times of Israel · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iraq's government has set a September 30 deadline for pro-Iran armed groups to disarm, coinciding with the end of the US-led coalition's mission.
  • Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stated that weapons outside state control after the deadline will face legal action, emphasizing a policy of confining arms to the state.
  • The move comes amid US pressure for Baghdad to ensure factions turn in their weapons, as these groups have increased their political and financial influence and frequently targeted US facilities.

Iraq's government has issued a firm deadline for pro-Iran armed factions within the country to disarm, setting September 30 as the cutoff date. This timeline aligns with the planned conclusion of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition's mission in Iraq.

All the armed groups have been informed of a specific date that marks the end of this issue (of disarmament)… which is September 30, which also marks the end of the international coalition’s presence.

— Haidar al-AboudiGovernment spokesman Haidar al-Aboudi announced the deadline for pro-Iran armed groups to disarm.

Government spokesman Haidar al-Aboudi announced that all armed groups have been notified of the disarmament deadline. He warned that any weapons remaining outside the state's framework after this date will be subject to legal consequences. This directive comes ahead of a visit by new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the United States, where Washington has been pressing Baghdad to ensure the factions relinquish their arms.

These Iran-backed groups, many of which emerged after the 2003 US invasion and gained prominence fighting the Islamic State, have significantly increased their political and financial clout. They have consistently called for the withdrawal of American troops and have frequently targeted bases housing coalition forces, launching over 600 attacks on US facilities in Iraq and hitting targets in Gulf countries during the recent Middle East conflict. In response, Washington had previously withheld cash payments for Iraqi oil revenues.

After this date, all weapons outside the state framework will be subject to legal redress.

— Haidar al-AboudiGovernment spokesman Haidar al-Aboudi warned of legal consequences for groups not disarming by the deadline.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi has stressed that confining weapons to the state is not just rhetoric but an active policy. He affirmed the government's commitment to this course, especially as coalition forces are set to withdraw by the end of September. While some armed groups have indicated cooperation, others remain resistant, particularly under perceived US pressure. Iraq has long been a geopolitical battleground for Iran and the United States, with Baghdad navigating these complex dynamics.

The government remains committed to this course, particularly as Coalition forces are scheduled to complete their withdrawal by September 30.

— Ali al-ZaidiIraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stressed the government's commitment to confining arms to the state.
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Originally published by Times of Israel. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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