Iraqi PM Demands Pro-Iranian Militias Surrender Weapons by September 30 or Face Military Action

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has issued an ultimatum to the country's pro-Iranian armed militias to hand over their weapons to the state by September 30, warning of potential military confrontation if they refuse. Two Iraqi political sources confirmed that Al-Zaidi informed political leaders of his readiness to confront armed factions that continue to resist disarmament after the deadline.

Simultaneously, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, revealed in a television interview that Iranian officials expressed willingness to assist the Iraqi government in this disarmament effort. Barzani recounted discussions in Tehran where Iranian representatives said, "Tell Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi we are ready to help him on this matter."

According to the pro-Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the Iraqi government has formulated a plan to dismantle the pro-Iranian militias' arsenals following the ultimatum's expiration. The strategy involves deploying regular Iraqi army units, counterterrorism forces, and elite units around militia strongholds and key access roads to restrict vehicle and supply movements.

Security checkpoints will be established around militia centers to monitor and confiscate weapons, focusing on drones and missiles. The government aims to compel militias to vacate their positions peacefully or provoke a confrontation if they attempt to move weapons or engage in armed resistance.

Iraqi sources on the ground reported that the military and counterterrorism units began a pilot phase this week by positioning observation officers in several areas and highways. In recent weeks, some units intercepted drone shipments destined for various locations in Iraq. The operation primarily targets two militia strongholds south of Baghdad: Jurf al-Sakhar, a base for Kataib Hezbollah, and Jurf al-Naddaf, a base for Asaib Ahl al-Haq.