Will Iraq’s oil smuggling crackdown disarm militias without a conflict?

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has dismissed nine officials following an investigation into allegations of oil smuggling in the Jurf al-Sakher area, which is a stronghold of the Iran-backed Kataeb Hizbollah group. The investigation, launched earlier this week, was prompted by mounting US pressure on Iraq to curb Iran's influence and rein in pro-Iranian armed groups.

Zaidi, who came to power with US blessing, ordered the dismissal of officials including security and intelligence officers in Babylon province, an interior ministry commander, and the director of the Oil Pipelines Company at the oil ministry. The committee investigating the allegations confirmed the accuracy of satellite images showing crude oil and oil-derivatives smuggling operations carried out by an armed faction in Jurf al-Sakher.

Tensions have risen between Zaidi and Kataeb Hizbollah since the prime minister vowed to ensure armed factions hand over their weapons to the state, with some factions complying while others, including Kataeb Hizbollah, have refused.

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