Can Iraq absorb Iran-backed militias without deepening Tehran’s influence?
While some militias have openly resisted disarmament, experts say those expressing support for the government’s plans may be motivated by political calculations.
At least two Iraqi militia leaders have expressed willingness to surrender their weapons to the state, a move some analysts say is a result of American pressure and political jostling. But reining in Iran-backed groups is still likely to face considerable challenges, and integrating them into the armed forces could actually entrench Tehran’s influence.
Signals from militias
Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said on Wednesday that his armed group, Saraya al-Salam, would separate from his political party, the National Shiite Movement, and integrate into the state and its military. Sadr called on all other militant factions within the Popular Mobilization Units to “hand over their weapons to the state.”
The PMU, a loose alliance of predominantly Shiite militias that formed to fight the Islamic State in 2014, is technically part of the armed forces but in reality retains considerable independence. A number of groups within the PMU are closely tied to Iran.
