In a significant development, two of Iraq’s major militias, which are backed by Iran, have declared intentions to surrender their arms to Iraqi authorities. This move aligns with the government’s initiative to regain control over militias that have functioned independently despite being under state command nominally.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, one of the militias, announced the formation of a committee to manage the disarmament process. The committee will inventory its fighters, weapons, and equipment, and coordinate efforts with Iraq’s armed forces’ top commander. This decision responds to calls from Iraq’s leading Shiite religious authority and the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, which is a prominent political bloc in the nation.
Another group, the Imam Ali Brigades, echoed this sentiment. They stated it was time to build a fully sovereign state, ensuring that weapons are only in state custody to strengthen state institutions.
The ongoing war in the Middle East, initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28 with operations targeting Iran, has highlighted Iraq’s fragile state institutions and their struggles to manage Iran-backed factions. A parallel confrontation with Washington has worsened the situation, with militias extending Iran’s regional influence and increasing attacks on U.S. properties in Iraq. A temporary ceasefire agreement was reached in April.
Influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr recently declared that his Saraya al-Salam militia will separate from his political agenda and integrate with state institutions. This decision coincides with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to centralize control over weaponry. Al-Zaidi, a former banker, was sworn into office last month and has prioritized the state’s exclusive control over arms in his agenda.
The U.S. administration under Trump has cautioned against any Iraqi government dominated by Iran-affiliated factions and has made defense collaboration and aid dependent on efforts to curb militia control. Many of these groups receive funds from Iraq’s state budget and are part of the security framework, yet function without governmental oversight. This situation has attracted criticism from various nations, particularly the U.S., which has been affected by militia attacks.
Some factions within the Coordination Framework have resisted efforts to disarm. Groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba oppose disarmament, linking it to Iraq’s sovereignty and the presence of foreign forces. Kataib Hezbollah has expressed support for other factions disarming but plans to continue its military activities as a form of “resistance work.” They have offered to work alongside the Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-backed coalition of mostly Shiite militias, rather than relinquish their arms.
The Popular Mobilization Forces were established in 2014 to combat ISIS, which had captured significant Iraqi territories. Many groups within the forces still maintain their command and connections to Iran.