Iraq Sets Deadline for Iranian-Backed Militias to Disarm Amid Rising Tensions

Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has issued a firm ultimatum to Iranian-backed militias operating within the country, demanding they surrender their weapons to the state by September 30, 2026. This deadline coincides with the scheduled end of the US-led international coalition's mandate against ISIS, which militias have used to justify retaining arms. Al-Zaidi has prepared for a potential confrontation with factions refusing to comply, signaling readiness for a direct clash.

The Iraqi government is simultaneously engaging in negotiations with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to restrain these militias. This move comes amid intense US pressure on Baghdad to curb Tehran-aligned armed groups, a key promise of Al-Zaidi's administration since his appointment in May 2026, which has received US support.

Since 2003, Iraq has been caught between US and Iranian influence, with tensions escalating sharply after the recent US-Israeli military actions against Iran in February 2026. The Kurdistan region has experienced over a thousand attacks, including assaults by Iraqi militias on US interests and Iranian bombings targeting Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. The militias have also repeatedly targeted US bases across Iraq and expanded hostile activities into neighboring countries, raising regional security concerns.