Iran-backed Militia Groups in Iraq Prepare to Disarm for the First Time, as Preparations for Talks with the U.S. Progress
Baghdad: Several powerful Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq are preparing to disarm for the first time in order to avoid a deadly confrontation with the U.S. following rising tensions with the Trump administration. According to Reuters sources, this decision comes after repeated warnings from U.S. officials, who secretly notified the Iraqi government after President Trump’s administration took office in January. The officials warned Iraq that if the militia groups were not dismantled, the U.S. could carry out airstrikes against them.
Iraqi Shiite politician Izzat al-Shahbandar told Reuters that discussions between Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani and several militia leaders have made "significant progress," and the groups are prepared to respond to the U.S. call for disarmament. He added that these groups are not insisting on maintaining their current stance, knowing they could become targets of U.S. forces.
Experts believe that the militia groups have built their armaments with the support of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These groups serve as key pillars of Iran's regional proxy forces, and they have recently claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks after the Gaza conflict.
The Iraqi government has stated that Prime Minister Sudani is committed to taking steps through "constructive discussions" to bring all weapons under state control. Some groups have already vacated their headquarters and reduced their presence to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.
U.S. officials have been pressuring the Iraqi government to exercise more control over the militias. The U.S. State Department has emphasized that these forces must operate under the authority of Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief, not Iran.
This shift comes at a time when Iran’s regional "Axis of Resistance" has weakened, especially after Hamas’s attacks on Israel and Israel’s strong resistance.
Iraq is currently trying to balance its relations with both the U.S. and Iran while taking necessary measures to exert control over the militias.
