Sudani targets Iran-backed militias to disarm 240,000 fighters
Sudani aims to disarm Iran-backed PMF militias, which control 240,000 fighters and spend $3.5B annually, to curb attacks on U.S. forces. Success would weaken Tehran’s influence and prove Iraq’s sovere
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani will sit down with President Biden in the White House on Tuesday with a single question hanging over the
Read Full Story at DW World →Why This Matters
The push to disarm Iran-backed militias in Iraq is more than a domestic security issue—it’s a litmus test for whether Baghdad can reclaim its sovereignty from Tehran’s shadow. If successful, it could redefine Iraq’s geopolitical alignment and set a precedent for countering proxy warfare across the Middle East.
Background Context
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) emerged after 2014 to fight ISIS, but many factions retained ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, evolving into parallel armed groups with state-sanctioned budgets. Their $3.5 billion annual spending—funded by Baghdad—has created a financial black hole, while their attacks on U.S. forces have made them a flashpoint for regional tensions.
What Happens Next
Prime Minister Sudani’s task faces daunting hurdles: integrating militias into state institutions without triggering violent backlash, or risking a power struggle that could destabilize Iraq further. The U.S. will watch closely, but its leverage is limited—especially as regional players like Turkey and Gulf states weigh in to protect their own interests.
Bigger Picture
This confrontation reflects a broader struggle between centralized state authority and decentralized armed actors, a cycle repeating across fragile states from Libya to Yemen. Whether Iraq can break it may determine if the post-ISIS order in the region tilts toward fragmentation or fragile unity.
