US Demands Iraqi Shiite Militias Disarm by October Amid Baghdad Talks
The US government has made it clear that it will not negotiate on the disarmament of Iraqi Shiite militias loyal to Iran, insisting that these groups must hand over their weapons by October. This stance was reported by sources close to the Iraqi government to the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, coinciding with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi's visit to Washington. Prior to his departure, discussions in Iraq focused on the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi), the umbrella organization for pro-Iranian militias, and other resistance factions.
According to sources, Washington will not tolerate any weapons outside state control or legal frameworks, particularly heavy arms such as long-range missiles and drones. A member of Iraq's ruling coalition, the Coordination Framework, revealed that the US has emphasized its full commitment to the disarmament timeline through separate meetings with Shiite party leaders and official talks with Prime Minister Al-Zaydi. The US insists there will be no delays in the disarmament process.
Prime Minister Al-Zaydi has recently communicated with militia leaders opposing disarmament, offering assurances that the process is serious and that militia leaders will not be harmed. However, the militias have repeatedly rejected disarmament, viewing it as surrender to foreign powers. An Iraqi parliament member close to Hezbollah Brigades stated that Washington aims to destroy resistance factions by confiscating their weapons, which symbolize their power and honor. He added that disarmament will not occur as long as US occupation and threats continue, and while normalization with Israel remains a concern.
This development highlights escalating tensions between the US and Iran extending into Iraq, with Washington pressing Baghdad to enforce control over militias seen as Iranian proxies. The outcome of Prime Minister Al-Zaydi's talks in Washington will be critical in shaping Iraq's security landscape and its relations with both the US and Iran.
