In a surprising turn of events, several powerful Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have expressed willingness to disarm in a bid to prevent a potential military clash with the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership. This marks a significant shift in the stance of these groups, which have long resisted pressure from Western powers to lay down their arms.
According to ten senior militia commanders and Iraqi government officials who spoke with Reuters, behind-the-scenes talks are progressing between Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and leaders of key militia factions. The goal is to reduce tensions following stern warnings from the U.S., cautioning Baghdad to dismantle armed groups operating independently within its borders—or face the consequences, possibly in the form of airstrikes.
Among the groups involved are Kataib Hezbollah, Nujabaa, Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada, and Ansarullah al-Awfiyaa. These factions are core members of the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a coalition of around ten hardline Shi’ite militias with an estimated 50,000 fighters and advanced weapons, including drones and long-range missiles. Collectively, they have carried out numerous attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets, especially after the Israel-Gaza conflict reignited nearly 18 months ago.
One Kataib Hezbollah commander, speaking anonymously, stated, “Trump is ready to take this conflict to the next level. We don’t want to go down that road.” He also revealed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), their key sponsor, has authorized them to make whatever decisions are needed to avoid escalation.
While nothing is finalized yet, Prime Minister Sudani is pushing for all militias to submit to state authority. This includes possibly integrating them into Iraq’s armed forces or converting them into political entities. Some militia groups have already begun dismantling headquarters and reducing their presence in cities like Mosul and Anbar since January, anticipating potential U.S. strikes.
Farhad Alaaeldin, foreign affairs advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, confirmed that the government is working to ensure that all weapons are under state control through “constructive dialogue.”
Still, U.S. officials remain cautious. A senior American source noted that while similar pauses in militia activities have occurred in the past under U.S. pressure, there is skepticism about whether any disarmament would be permanent.
This potential disarmament comes at a crucial time. Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”—its regional network of proxy forces—is under immense strain. Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been pummeled by Israeli strikes. Yemen’s Houthis are also facing U.S. air assaults, while Syria’s leadership, another Iranian ally, is teetering.
Iraq finds itself caught between two powerful allies—Iran and the U.S.—as it tries to assert its sovereignty and maintain stability. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iranian-backed militias have grown into a formidable force, often matching or exceeding the capabilities of Iraq’s own military.
As the U.S. intensifies its demands and Trump’s administration signals zero tolerance, Iraq may have no choice but to act. A former political advisor to the Iraqi government summed it up grimly: “If we do not voluntarily comply, it may be forced upon us—and by force.”
