Explainer-Why is US ally Iraq unable to disarm Iran’s militia allies?
Zaidi faces pushback from militias with about 50,000 fighters and long-range missiles as he seeks to bring their weapons under state control.
- Iraqi Prime Minister Zaidi faces significant resistance as the September 30 deadline approaches for disarming Iran-aligned militias, following his pledge to President Donald Trump at a July White House meeting.
- Commanding about 50,000 fighters, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejects the disarmament deadline, arguing these factions cannot surrender weapons while supporting Iran against the United States.
- After arresting four militia members including a Harakat Nujaba commander on August 17 over alleged attacks on United States interests, Iraqi special forces faced retaliation threats and political intervention.
- Baghdad is "discussing options for bringing powerful armed factions" weapons under state control, including transferring arsenals to Iran for storage, though Senior Shi'ite politicians warn tough measures could trigger instability.
- Iran is currently using Iraqi militias and Houthis to threaten Saudi Arabia and American allies to drive up war costs, a strategy persisting despite the September 30 withdrawal deadline for US-led coalition forces.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Trump Personally Asked Iraq’s New Prime Minister to Demilitarize the Militias — and the Closest to Iran Say They Won’t Disarm
Iran's most active proxies are no longer led by Hezbollah, per an AP-cited report: the Houthis and Iraqi militias have taken over, with Houthi personnel operating inside Iraq and sharing military expertise. Officials tied the Houthis to July's swarm attacks on Saudi oil; Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces denied involvement. Baghdad's end-of-September disarmament deadline looms — the strongest factions refuse, and one proposal would store militi…
Explainer-Why is US ally Iraq unable to disarm Iran’s militia allies?
By Michael Georgy and Ahmed Rasheed DUBAI/BAGHDAD, Sept 9 - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi could face a credibility crisis if Iran-backed Shi'ite militias fail to heed his call to hand over their weapons to the state. After a July meeting with U.S. ...
Explainer-Why is US ally Iraq unable to disarm Iran's militia allies?
DUBAI/BAGHDAD, Sept 9 - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi could face a credibility crisis if Iran-backed Shi'ite militias fail to heed his call to hand over their weapons to the state. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is facing growing resistance from pro-Iranian Shia militias as he tries to disarm them and bring their weapons under state control by September 30.
This content was posted on September 9, 2026 from Michael Georgie and Ahmed Rashid...
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