Militia

BEHIND THE LINES: The decision by Zaidan’s allies to integrate their armed elements into state security forces represents an effort by a pro-Iranian element to consolidate its power.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi met Iranian-backed militias to push them to disarm and join state command, aiming to limit armed group influence while avoiding conflict.

Iraq is at a turning point as militias begin procedures to disengage from the PMF and potentially hand weapons to the government amid US pressure.

US prosecutors say Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi helped plan approximately 18 attacks in Europe in recent months.

Newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi urged armed factions in the country to work “under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions.” 

A senior commander from Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed faction, was killed and his aide seriously wounded on Thursday when an explosive device detonated in their vehicle.

"People are tired of Hamas. They’ve had enough," Khan Yunis militia leader Hussam al-Astal told the Post.

Iraq condemned recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, vowed cooperation in the investigation, and moved to distance Iranian-backed militias amid growing US pressure.

Saudi warplanes reportedly struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq, targeting key sites as tensions escalated in the Gulf region during the ongoing conflict.

Iraq’s army is now being told to “defend” the desert and the homeland so that “Iraq will not be a launchpad or arena for aggression against neighboring countries.”