Iraqi PM faces pressure as allies retreat on arms control and anti-graft drive

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is confronting intense political pressure as the September deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces looms. Simultaneously, his government is grappling with internal disputes over weapons control and corruption, compounded by a deepening financial crisis.

Sources indicate that al-Zaidi has been meeting with leaders of the Shi'ite Coordination Framework, the bloc that backs his government, to secure support for key pledges. These include bringing all weapons under state authority and intensifying the fight against corruption. However, both issues have emerged as major points of contention within the ruling Shi'ite alliance.

The debate surrounding armed factions operating under the banner of the "Islamic Resistance" has intensified with the approaching U.S. withdrawal. While the government is pushing for all arms to be placed under state control, some factions are resisting, citing persistent domestic and regional security threats. Concurrently, the government's anti-corruption drive has expanded, with cases opened against current and former officials, drawing denials and accusations of political motivation from those implicated.

A political source revealed that prominent forces within the Coordination Framework, initially supportive of al-Zaidi's campaigns, have "begun to retreat in one way or another." This shift is attributed to concerns that ongoing investigations might implicate individuals close to these leaders if evidence of corruption surfaces. The government, however, plans to proceed with accountability measures against officials affiliated with parties in the ruling coalition.

Divisions are also sharpening over the issue of weapons control. Some factions are now imposing conditions or expressing reservations about how arms will be integrated under state authority, referencing ongoing domestic security concerns and regional tensions. This could impede progress on an issue the government hopes to advance soon. Kataib Hezbollah's Secretary-General Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi has stated the group will not surrender its weapons, underscoring the growing rift between the faction and the government regarding the future of armed groups post-international coalition mission. The Coordination Framework itself is experiencing internal strains, with political sources noting weakened cohesion among members due to disagreements over relations with the U.S., the impact of regional conflicts, and the management of economic reforms.

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begun to retreat in one way or another