Don't let Iran-backed militias to set the clock on America's exit from Iraq
On September 30, the last American and coalition troops are scheduled to leave Iraq, ending a military presence that began in 2003. Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi calls the date “fixed and final” . October 1, he says, will open a new chapter in which Iraq exercises full sovereignty over its own soil. It is a stirring line. It also collides with the facts on the ground. Mr Al Zaidi has tied two…
The United States is poised to withdraw all troops from Iraq by September 30, 2021, marking the end of a military presence that began in 2003. Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has declared this date "fixed and final," signifying a new era of full sovereignty for Iraq over its own territory. However, this declaration appears to be at odds with the reality on the ground, as there are two conflicting promises tied to this date: the departure of coalition forces and the disarmament of all armed groups.
A single incident on August 17 highlights the disconnect between the promises. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service managed to arrest Abbas Al Yaqoubi, the reconnaissance chief of the Iran-aligned Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and an intelligence official in the Popular Mobilisation Forces, on suspicion of involvement in drone strikes against neighboring countries.
This one arrest demonstrates the extent to which the state's authority extends - only as far as it concerns those with guns. The governing Co-ordination Framework denounced the arrest as a "kidnapping" and demanded that Yaqoubi be handed over to the PMF he serves. However, a Baghdad court ultimately released him due to insufficient evidence, illustrating the limited reach of Iraqi law enforcement.
The Iraqi government's apparent inability to detain a high-ranking intelligence officer for even 24 hours raises questions about the actual sovereignty that will supposedly be achieved on October 1. This situation highlights the significant political weight wielded by the PMF and the Co-ordination Framework, rendering the state powerless to hold its own intelligence officers accountable. The true sovereignty that the new government is expected to exercise remains a mere illusion.
This situation is both a testament to the power of Iran-backed militias and a warning to those who advocate for an immediate American withdrawal. For the militias, a clean and swift U.S. exit serves as the perfect excuse to keep their arsenal and maintain control. The hardline groups such as Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid Al Shuhada, and Al Nujaba have outright refused to disarm, while others have taken similar stances.
These groups also continue to conduct attacks, including drone strikes on infrastructure and other military operations, demonstrating their intent to undermine Kurdish autonomy and disrupt regional stability.
The implications of such a withdrawal are far-reaching. It not only sends a message of capitulation to Tehran but also threatens to empower Iran and its proxies in Iraq, ultimately giving them a stronghold along their border, through Iraq, and all the way to the Mediterranean. By leaving on the militia's schedule, the U.S. essentially removes the only restraint on these groups, thereby providing them with unlimited freedom to operate and perpetuate violence.
However, the U.S. should not resign itself to an indefinite military presence either. Instead, it should refuse to leave on the militia's timeline, demanding that the militias demonstrate true commitment to disarming and upholding Iraqi sovereignty before any final drawdown can take place. This approach strikes a balance between ensuring the safety and stability of Iraqis while avoiding the trap of capitulation that would solidify Iran's influence in the region.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
