Iraq Seeks to Restrain Iran-Backed Extremists Amid Tehran’s Weakened Influence “`
As Iran’s regional influence diminishes, Iraq seeks to disarm various armed groups, including factions within the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), encouraging their integration into state security forces or the recognized Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently stated to Reuters that the presence of armed groups operating outside government control is unacceptable.
Hussein told Reuters that discussions are underway to persuade these groups to disarm and join the government-controlled armed forces.
Regional concerns exist that, given power vacuums resulting from weakened actors like Hamas and Hezbollah, Iraq might face similar instability.
Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies suggested to [Publication Name] Digital that the Syrian civil war prompted Iraq’s action against Iranian-backed militias.
Schanzer noted widespread fear regarding Iran’s destabilizing influence in Iraq.
However, Minister Hussein asserted to Reuters that Iraq is unlikely to experience a similar collapse.
The IRI, a collection of armed factions within the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance,” poses a significant challenge to the Iraqi government. They were responsible for a January 2024 attack that killed three [Unspecified Nationality] personnel and have engaged in armed operations against Israel and U.S. forces since October 7.
The PMF, formed in 2014 following a call to arms by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to combat ISIS, operates within Iraq. The Defense Intelligence Agency reports that Iran provided significant military support to the PMF.
The PMF is officially part of Iraqi security forces, reporting directly to the Prime Minister.
Inna Rudolf of King’s College London, focusing on the PMF, told [Publication Name] Digital that current discussions center on managing the Islamic Resistance factions, some of which gained prominence after October 7th through armed operations under the IRI banner.
Many of these factions, Rudolf explained, have registered brigades within the PMF framework.
Rudolf highlighted the challenge of neutralizing these groups while preventing escalation.
While Iranian proxies have been weakened, Rudolf noted intensified pressure given potential Israeli retaliation against Iranian groups in Iraq.
Many regional observers see Iraq’s efforts to control armed factions as a reflection of Iran’s weakened regional standing.
Caroline Rose of the New Lines Institute told [Publication Name] Digital that the PMF reforms reflect Iran’s diminished influence and an opportunity for moderate forces and the U.S. to build momentum.
With Iraqi elections this fall, Prime Minister Sudani is negotiating security cooperation with the U.S., including the status of the roughly 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq under Operation Inherent Resolve.
Observers agree that Iraq’s ability to control rogue groups is crucial for maintaining security cooperation with the United States, particularly under a potential President Trump administration.