US greenlights Iraqi cabinet with blacklisted factions, say diplomatic sources

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has appointed a US-designated terrorist, Laith al-Khazali, to his cabinet after receiving approval from Washington, according to diplomatic sources. Al-Khazali, a senior leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, is blacklisted by the US for its ties to Iran. This move comes as part of efforts to disarm Iran-backed factions in Iraq and advance disarmament plans.

The US has previously allowed some blacklisted factions to participate in governments, but this time it was due to mounting pressure on Zaidi to disarm these groups. Al-Khazali and his brother Qais, who also leads Asaib Ahl al-Haq, are designated as global terrorists by the US. Despite this, their group has gained political power, winning 27 seats in the latest parliamentary elections.

The US has accused Khazali and his brother of attacking US forces in the past. The shift in US policy allows the Iran-backed Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada faction to hold a key position in the government, securing the tourism ministry. However, this move was made after months of pressure on Zaidi to disarm Iran-backed groups, which have targeted US interests in Iraq and escalated during the Middle East conflict.

Zaidi initially set September 30 as the deadline for factions to hand over their weapons, but this deadline was later withdrawn and replaced with a new one of June 30.