Israel monitoring efforts to disarm Iraqi pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias, concerned they may attack
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is seeking to preserve its strategic alliance with the militias, as well as with the Houthis and Hezbollah.
Israel's intelligence community is closely monitoring efforts to disarm Iraqi pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias, which have until the end of September to comply or face potential attacks. So far, the militias have rejected the demand but have indicated they would agree to discuss disarmament only after US troops withdraw from Iraq. The militias, funded by Iran and located near Iraq's borders, have drawn Israel's attention due to their past launches of missiles and drones targeting the Israeli homeland.
The IDF has responded to these actions, while Israeli political leadership has warned Baghdad that Israeli responses would intensify if the militias remain unrestrained. The challenge for Israeli intelligence is navigating Iraq's vast territory to locate and strike the militias' main weapons depots. The US played a crucial role in mediating with the Iraqi government to restrain the militias during previous conflicts.
Israel and the US fear that after the ultimatum expires, the militias may seek to display their strength through attacks on US bases in the Middle East and Israel itself, encouraged by Iran.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
