Pro-Iranian Iraqi groups refuse to disarm — Jerusalem Post
The Iraqi government has set a deadline until the end of September for pro-Iranian Shiite armed groups to disarm and hand over their weapons to the state. According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli defense officials are monitoring the situation, fearing that after the deadline expires, the groups may try to demonstrate strength through attacks against Israel.
Groups’ conditions
The groups rejected the Iraqi authorities’ demand to disarm. At the same time, they said they were ready to discuss the issue only after the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Iraqi authorities, according to the publication, proposed the withdrawal of U.S. troops in exchange for the disarmament of the formations. The ultimatum expires at the end of September. Pro-Iranian Shiite groups led by Kataib Hezbollah categorically refused to lay down their arms but agreed to discuss the matter on their own terms after the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
The Jerusalem Post also writes that these formations are funded by the Iranian regime, and some of their weapons depots are located near Iraq’s borders. In recent weeks, Israeli intelligence has been paying increased attention to these forces.
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Israel’s and the U.S.’s concerns
In previous years, Shiite formations in Iraq launched cruise missiles and drones toward Israel, coordinating their actions with the policies of Iran and the Houthis. The Israel Defense Forces responded to such attacks, while the country’s political leadership conveyed demands to Baghdad to restrain the groups.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the United States played an important role in conveying demands to the Iraqi government to limit the activities of these formations and called on them to disarm, warning of a military response in case of refusal. Israeli and U.S. officials fear that, with Iran’s support, after the ultimatum expires the groups may attack U.S. bases in the Middle East and Israel.
The publication notes that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seeks to preserve its strategic alliance with Iraqi formations, the Houthis, and Hezbollah. In the Jerusalem Post’s view, these forces give Tehran room to maneuver amid U.S. pressure over the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy.
