Five armed Shiite militias supported by Iran and operating from Iraq have reportedly agreed to transfer their weapons to the Iraqi government, in a major political and security development that could weaken Tehran’s influence inside Iraq.
The groups named in the move are Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, the Badr Organization, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Tha’r Allah, and the Imam Ali Brigades.
Two powerful militias are refusing to join the move: Harakat al-Nujaba and Kata’ib Hezbollah. Both are under US sanctions and are among the most hardline Iran-backed factions in Iraq.
The step comes amid growing American pressure on Baghdad to bring all armed factions under state control. Open reporting over the past year has pointed to US pressure on Iraq’s government and militia leaders to curb or disarm Iran-backed factions, while Iraqi leaders have repeatedly said the state must eventually control all weapons.
