Rubio and Al Zaidi discuss importance of disarming militias as Iraq pushes deadline to June 2027

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi engaged in talks about the critical task of disarming militia groups in Iraq during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The deadline to disarm these militias has been postponed from the end of the month to June next year. Both parties emphasized the importance of dismantling terrorist militias, preventing attacks from Iraqi territory, and exercising full sovereignty.

Washington has urged Al Zaidi to rein in Iran-backed militia groups and bring weapons held by non-state actors under government control. However, the Iraqi leader had previously set a September 30 deadline, which Iraqi officials now say is unlikely to be met. Hardline factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba, have vowed to refuse disarmament until foreign troops withdraw.

Al Zaidi's security adviser, Qasim Al Araji, recently stated there was no fixed date for completing the disarmament process, further casting doubt on the feasibility of the September 30 deadline. The Iraqi officials noted that there was significant resistance from militia groups regarding disarmament, making the process a necessity.

Al Zaidi has placed the disarmament process and the fight against corruption at the top of his priorities, issues that have also drawn international pressure, especially from the US. A government committee has been formed to bring weapons into state hands.