{
  "id": 2004158,
  "title": "Iran plans to weaken Kurdish forces in Iraq to prevent disarmament of militias, mantain control",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/iran-plans-to-weaken-kurdish-forces-in-iraq-to-prevent-disarmament-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T19:56:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-906035"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran is endeavoring to weaken Kurdish forces in Iraq to prevent the disarmament of militias and maintain its control over the region. The Iraqi government, under the new prime minister Ali al-Zaidi, aims to put the militias' arms under state control. However, the militias are determined to avoid disarming and are employing various tactics to prevent the process. One tactic is claiming their weapons are already under state control, arguing that as part of the state-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, they are already an official paramilitary. Another tactic involves trying to make the disarmament efforts apply to the Kurdish Peshmerga, who have their own military force and are considered an official force by the Iraqi constitution.\n\nThe powerful Iranian-backed militia Kata i Hezbollah has demanded that the Peshmerga be disarmed, aiming to complicate disarmament efforts and instigate a reaction from the prime minister. This move may be perceived as a threat to the prime minister's life, as stated by Kata i Hezbollah's Abu Mujahid al-Assaf. The KRG's prime minister, Masrour Barzani, has recently been targeted by Iran, further highlighting Iran's determination to weaken Kurdish forces. Ultimately, Iran's objective is to preserve its influence in Iraq by using the militias to achieve its goals.",
  "summary": "Iran will use the militias to do whatever is necessary to preserve its role in Iraq, while also aiming to weaken its Kurdish rivals in the country.",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran aims to weaken Kurdish forces in Iraq to maintain control.",
    "Iraqi government seeks to put militias' arms under state control.",
    "Kata i Hezbollah demands Peshmerga disarmament to complicate efforts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}