Iraq Wants to Survive: Baghdad Restrains Pro-Iranian Militias While Flirting with Tehran

A US-Saudi strike against Al-Hashd al-Shaabi headquarters in Iraq puts Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in a bind between American pressure to disarm the militias and Iranian grip. Al-Zaidi visited the US and Iran, while the militias are divided over disarmament. 20 killed and 32 wounded in the strike.

A US-Saudi strike last night (Tuesday to Wednesday) against headquarters of the Al-Hashd al-Shaabi organization in Iraq resulted in 20 deaths and 32 injuries. The strike targeted headquarters in the provinces of Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is in a bind: on one hand, the US demands the disarmament of pro-Iranian militias, and on the other, Iran exerts pressure to maintain its influence. Al-Zaidi visited the US this month and met with President Trump, but days later traveled to Iran and met with the Iranian leadership, including a visit to a memorial for senior officials who were eliminated. Some militias have announced agreement to cease military activity, but others refuse. Saudi Arabia confirmed that the strike targeted sites linked to attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities, although the militias denied involvement. The Iraqi leadership is trying to restrain the militias while maintaining relations with the US, but opposes strikes on its territory. Israel has an interest in the emerging power balance, given previous launches from Iraqi territory.