Iran-aligned Iraq militia warns government of 'internal strife' if forcibly disarmed

A powerful Iranian-backed militia has warned Iraq's government that forcibly disarming armed groups before a September 30 deadline could lead to civil war and deepen sectarian divisions. Mohammed Naji, the head of Badr Organisation's political office, made these remarks in a post on X, criticizing the US for hinting at the imposition of force.

He warned that such an action would only benefit the United States, Israel, and those waiting to exploit the situation. The Badr Organisation, a key player in Iraq's political landscape, has set three conditions for restricting weapons to state authority: the complete withdrawal of US forces, the removal of strategic threats, and the development of the Iraqi armed forces, particularly air defenses.

This comes after Iran's elite Quds Force commander visited Baghdad, meeting with militia leaders and politicians to potentially avert confrontation. The Badr Organisation, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has been operating in the country since the early 1980s. Iraq's Prime Minister, Al Zaidi, has vowed to disarm Iran-backed militias since taking office in May, vowing to meet the September 30 deadline.

However, he has requested parliament's Defence and Security Committee to draft a bill to place all weapons under state control and warned that those refusing to disarm will face charges under counter-terrorism law. The deadline also marks the time when US troops are expected to leave their last base in Iraq.