Iran-backed militias in Iraq signal willingness to disarm amid US pressure

BAGHDAD — In an unprecedented move, several powerful Iran-backed militias in Iraq have expressed their readiness to disarm and vacate headquarters in major cities, according to ten senior Iraqi officials and militia leaders who spoke with Reuters. The decision is viewed as a strategic attempt to de-escalate tensions and avoid potential US military action under President Donald Trump.

This shift follows informal warnings from American officials to Baghdad, delivered shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January. Sources revealed that Washington cautioned Iraq: unless concrete steps were taken to disband active militias operating on its territory, US forces might launch airstrikes against those groups.

The militias in question include Kata’ib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Ansar Allah al-Awfiya — members of the Islamic Resistance Coalition in Iraq, a network of roughly ten hardline Shiite factions. Collectively, they command nearly 50,000 fighters and possess significant arsenals, including long-range missiles and anti-aircraft systems.

Izzat al-Shabandar, a prominent Shiite politician closely tied to Iraq’s ruling coalition, confirmed that discussions between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and militia leaders had reached an “advanced stage.” According to al-Shabandar, the groups are leaning toward compliance with US demands and have received authorization from their chief backer, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to take necessary steps to avoid military escalation with the United States and Israel.

Security officials tracking militia movements say this development represents a significant shift for these groups, which have long resisted disarmament efforts. Their newfound willingness to step back is seen as a calculated move to avoid direct confrontation with American forces — an outcome that could destabilize Iraq and strain its regional alliances.

As negotiations continue, the Iraqi government faces the challenge of implementing and supervising the disarmament process. Analysts suggest that if successful, the effort could reshape Iraq’s internal power dynamics, potentially curbing Tehran’s influence and bolstering Baghdad’s sovereignty.

With the situation still evolving, the international community is closely monitoring the talks and their implications for regional stability and future US–Iran relations.