Iraq Sets New Path for Militia Disarmament as US Troop Withdrawal Nears
Iraq is preparing a new approach to bringing powerful armed groups under government control as Baghdad faces growing pressure to strengthen state authority and manage its security relationship with the United States.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has indicated that his government aims to complete the disarmament of Iran-aligned militias by June 2027, with an initial period of non-aggression expected to form part of the proposed process.
Talks With Washington
The issue was discussed during a meeting between al-Zaidi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The two officials discussed the future of the U.S.-Iraq relationship, including the need for Iraq to dismantle terrorist militias, prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory and strengthen the country’s sovereignty.
The talks come as the remaining U.S. military presence in Iraq approaches a planned transition.
A New Disarmament Timeline
Baghdad’s latest approach would give armed groups additional time to move toward disarmament and integration into official state structures.
Under the proposed plan, militias would first observe a 90-day period without launching attacks, while receiving assurances that U.S. forces would not target them during that period.
The government has presented the process as part of a broader effort to ensure that security decisions are controlled by state institutions.
US Troop Withdrawal Adds Pressure
The disarmament issue is closely connected to the planned withdrawal of the remaining U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq.
Hundreds of American troops are expected to leave the country by the end of September, with personnel being redeployed to other locations in the region.
The transition marks a significant change in the security relationship between Washington and Baghdad after years of international military operations against Islamic State.
Armed Groups Remain Divided
Not all Iraqi armed factions have accepted Baghdad’s approach.
Some powerful Iran-aligned groups have rejected the September deadline previously established by the Iraqi government and have indicated that they are unwilling to surrender their weapons under the existing conditions.
Other smaller or less influential groups have taken steps toward handing weapons to the state or integrating members into official security institutions.
This difference in positions makes the government’s disarmament plan difficult to implement uniformly.
Iraq Seeks Greater State Control
For Baghdad, the central issue is control over the use of force.
The government wants armed groups to operate within formal state security structures rather than independently conducting military operations.
Officials have discussed bringing weapons, particularly missiles and long-range systems, under centralized command structures and integrating eligible personnel into official institutions.
Regional Tensions Complicate the Process
The situation is taking place against a backdrop of wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.
Iran-aligned Iraqi factions have historically maintained close relationships with Tehran, making Baghdad’s efforts to disarm them more complicated.
The Iraqi government must therefore balance its domestic security objectives with relationships involving neighboring countries and major international powers.
Iraq-US Relationship Enters a New Phase
The planned withdrawal of U.S. forces does not necessarily mean the end of cooperation between Washington and Baghdad.
Officials have discussed the possibility of continuing a normal bilateral security relationship after the coalition mission ends.
The focus could increasingly shift toward intelligence cooperation, counterterrorism coordination, training and other forms of security engagement rather than a large foreign military presence.
A Long-Term Political Challenge
Bringing armed groups completely under state authority is likely to require more than the collection of weapons.
The government also faces questions about the future political role of factions that have both military and political influence.
Successful integration could strengthen the authority of national institutions, while failure to reach agreement could leave Iraq with competing centers of security power.
What Comes Next
The immediate focus will be on Baghdad’s proposed disarmament framework and its discussions with armed factions.
The Iraqi government will also have to coordinate with Washington as the U.S. military transition progresses.
If the proposed process moves forward, the coming months could become an important period for determining how Iraq manages armed groups and national security after the end of the coalition’s military mission.
