Iraq's Badr Organization Rejects Forced Disarmament, Cites US Pressure and Internal Strife Risk

Iraq's Badr Organization has publicly opposed the government's efforts to disarm armed factions, signaling a significant political and security challenge for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's administration. The organization, led by Hadi al-Amiri, stated that any attempt to use force to seize weapons would lead to "tensions and internal strife," benefiting the United States and "the Zionist entity."

Mohammed Naji, head of the Badr Organization's political bureau, argued that the campaign for state control over all weapons is perceived as external pressure, particularly from the U.S. He emphasized that the group would not allow the prime minister or anyone else to escalate the situation with "our brothers in the resistance," warning of "internal discord."

The Badr Organization's position underscores growing disagreements within the Coordination Framework, a key political bloc. Writer and journalist Montadhar Naser noted that the debate over weapons control exposes contradictions within the Framework itself, with divisions extending to individual parties and factions. He stated that the dispute is not solely about weapons but also about Iraq's relationship with the U.S. and Iran, and the extent to which security decisions can remain independent of armed groups with external ties.

This internal debate coincides with an unannounced visit to Baghdad by Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Quds Force. Sources suggest Tehran prefers to keep the issue of factional weapons unresolved, potentially allowing nominal government control while maintaining de facto influence. This proposal may appeal to some within the Coordination Framework but faces resistance from Iraqi state authorities. The government is thus navigating a sensitive political and security test, where forceful disarmament could provoke confrontation with influential factions.

“

We will not allow the Prime Minister or anyone else to reach this level in dealing with our brothers in the resistance, because that would open the door to internal discord, the primary beneficiaries of which would be the US, the Zionist entity, and those lying in wait for us.