Iraq's Al Zaidi faces 'impossible' task to disarm Iran-backed militias
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi’s plan to disarm militias outside state control will be “impossible” to carry out given Iran’s tight grip on Baghdad, experts and officials told The National . His government came under pressure this week after attacks on Saudi Arabia led to joint US and Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The attacks put the spotlight on the militias that have…
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi's attempt to disarm Iran-backed militias within Iraq is deemed "impossible" by experts and officials. Iran's tight control over Baghdad hinders the progress of this plan, as highlighted by Renad Mansour, director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House in London. The militias, deeply entrenched in Iraq's political, economic, and social spheres, receive significant financial and military support from Tehran.
The recent US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, following attacks on Saudi Arabia, have drawn attention to the militias' immense power. Despite Al Zaidi's pledge to disarm these groups by September 30 and curb corruption, the task remains daunting due to the militias' deep-rooted presence in Iraq. Experts suggest that Al Zaidi may resort to diplomatic efforts with Washington and Gulf states to manage the situation, rather than confronting the militias directly.
The Prime Minister's limited powers to curb the militias are further undermined by their influence over government and ministerial roles. Iran's influence in Iraq has grown substantially since the 2003 US-led invasion, as the country supports Shiite armed groups and maintains close ties with Baghdad's successive governments.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
