DISARM OR FIGHT: Iraq Gives Iran-Backed Militias Deadline To Surrender Weapons

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has set a September 30 deadline for Iran-aligned militias operating in the country to surrender their weapons to state control or face confrontation with government forces, according to Iraqi political sources. Al-Zaidi has informed political leaders that he is prepared to confront armed factions that refuse to disarm after the deadline.

The Iraqi government has developed a plan to forcibly restrict and eventually dismantle the militias' independent military capabilities if they fail to comply, according to the Saudi-aligned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. The plan calls for regular Iraqi Army troops, Counter Terrorism Service forces and elite units to deploy around militia strongholds and along roads leading to their positions. Security forces would restrict the movement of vehicles and supplies before gradually establishing monitoring units tasked with tracking and confiscating weapons, with particular focus on drones and missiles.

The approach aims to pressure the militias to abandon their positions and transfer them to government forces without triggering armed conflict. The plan centers on two militia strongholds south of Baghdad: Jurf al-Sakhar, a stronghold of Kataib Hezbollah, and Jurf al-Naddaf, associated with Harakat al-Nujaba. Elements of the plan are reportedly already being tested, with military and counterterrorism forces deploying officers to observation posts along several roads. Security forces have also intercepted shipments of drones traveling to various locations in Iraq in recent weeks.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said Iranian officials have expressed willingness to assist Baghdad with the disarmament effort. Barzani said that during recent talks in Tehran, Iranian officials told him to inform al-Zaidi that they were "ready to help him" With the issue.