Iraq appears to delay militia disarmament as Iran-backed factions pressure Baghdad - analysis

Iraq appears to be backtracking on a September 30 deadline to place militia weapons under state control, now indicating it will wait until US forces leave. National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji said the process will begin gradually after the coalition's departure, a shift analysts call a bait and switch. Iran-backed factions, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, resist disarmament, demanding US and Turkish troop withdrawals as preconditions. The article notes the US may lack political capital to pressure Baghdad, while the prime minister hints he will serve only one term.

Iraq appears to be backtracking on its commitment to disarm Iranian-backed militias by September 30, now indicating it will wait until US forces leave the country. National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji told the state-run Iraqi News Agency that the process of restricting weapons to the state will begin gradually after the international coalition's scheduled departure. This shift is described by analysts as a bait and switch, suggesting Iraq is slow-playing its obligations. Iran's IRGC Quds Force head Esmail Qaani and parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf recently visited Baghdad, showcasing Tehran's influence. Iran-backed factions, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, have resisted disarmament, demanding the departure of US and Turkish troops and the dissolution of the Peshmerga forces as preconditions. Many of these militias are designated by the US as terrorist organizations due to attacks on American and coalition forces. The article notes that the US is focused on the Iran conflict and may lack the political capital to pressure Baghdad, while the prime minister hints he will serve only one term.

Iraq appears to delay militia disarmament as Iran-backed factions pressure Baghdad - analysis