Iraqi Militias Signal Readiness to Disarm Amid US Pressure

Several powerful Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are preparing to disarm for the first time following warnings from U.S. officials that continued militia activity could lead to American airstrikes, according to a Reuters report.

Ten senior commanders and Iraqi officials told the news outlet that multiple groups are involved in talks with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Six commanders from four major militias confirmed they are ready to step back to avoid escalation.

According to the report, since January, the Trump administration has warned the Iraqi government privately to disband militias operating on its soil or face U.S. military action.

According to government and security officials, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called Prime Minister Sudani on March 16, following American strikes on the Houthis, urging Iraq to prevent militias from retaliating against Israel and U.S. bases in the region in support of their allies.

The militias—Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Ansar Allah al-Awfiya—are part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces also known as Hashd al-Shaabi. These groups form the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has claimed attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets since October 2023. ​

Closely tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), they field around 50,000 fighters and are equipped with long-range missiles and anti-aircraft weapons.

Izzat al-Shahbndar, a senior Shiite politician close to the government, said IRGC’s talks with militia leaders are “very advanced” and that the groups are not resisting the idea of disarming.

“Trump is ready to take the war with us to worse levels,” a Kataib Hezbollah commander was quoted as saying. “We want to avoid such a bad scenario.”

Farhad Alaadin, a top adviser to Prime Minister Sudani, said the government is working to bring all weapons under state control through talks with national actors. Two Iraqi security officials confirmed Sudani is pushing for full disarmament.

Officials cited by Reuters also said that since mid-January, some groups have largely evacuated their headquarters and reduced their presence in major cities like Mosul and Anbar due to the threat of U.S. airstrikes.

Many commanders have also intensified security measures, frequently changing their mobile phones, vehicles, and residences.

Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a former political adviser to Prime Minister Sudani, told Iraqi state TV that the United States has long pressured Iraq’s leadership to dismantle Shi’ite militias. However, he warned that this time, Washington might not accept a refusal.

“If we do not comply voluntarily, it may be forced upon us from the outside, and by force,” he said.

The IRGC declined to comment on the report, and the U.S. has not yet provided a response as of press time.