No deadline for disarming militias this year, says Iraqi Prime Minister's aide

The Iraqi government has no set timeframe for disarming Iran-backed militias this year, according to Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi's adviser Yousif Al Dunainawi. The government is serious about disarmament but must remain flexible, Dunainawi explained at the Iraq Initiative conference in London. A new deadline of June 2027 has been set for weapons held by armed groups to be under state control as US troops withdraw from Iraq in September.

External and internal factors influence the situation, and the protection of the country's security is paramount. While all political forces are serious about the state, they are open to flexibility to prioritize Iraqi interests. Al Dunainawi emphasized that Iraq must remain safe. Iran-backed paramilitaries have attacked Gulf energy facilities and US bases in response to American air strikes in Iran and have been accused of violently suppressing Iraqi protesters in 2020.

Prime Minister Al Zaidi is engaged in dialogue with armed factions, and the disarmament plan will be implemented incrementally. While two groups have resisted negotiations, one group has shown more flexibility, boosting optimism about the plan's completion by June. However, Basim Al Badri, head of Iraq's National Security Service, warned that two groups remain rigid, and those obstructing the process will not be given an opportunity.

Disarming the militias is essential to restore the rule of law, build confidence among the Iraqi public and neighbors, and facilitate diversification of energy flows to bypass attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.