Iran-backed Iraqi militias are at a crossroads as pressure mounts from the US on Iraqi decision-makers to quickly disarm them, in parallel with ongoing nuclear negotiations.
WILL IRAN TRULY ABANDON ITS MILITIAS?
It’s a legitimate question, supported by several indicators. In December, some Iraqi armed groups announced a temporary halt to attacks on US and Israeli interests. Reports suggested some militias were even willing to lay down their arms and join the Iraqi armed forces. These militias possess a significant arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, according to eyewitnesses and military experts.
On Saturday, Washington and Tehran concluded a second round of talks, without revealing if Iraqi militias were part of the negotiations beyond the nuclear file.
Iraqi political analyst Rafeed al-Atwani said Iran told the US that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), their weapons, and other regional armed groups are internal matters and must be dealt with by the states in which they operate. In other words, the US should negotiate directly with these factions.