Iran-backed Iraqi militias escalate demands ahead of disarmament deadline
US and coalition forces are expected to withdraw on September 30 with disarmament expected to occur before then
Iran-backed Iraqi militias have escalated their demands as Baghdad's disarmament deadline nears.
The Iraqi government has set September 30 as the deadline for armed groups in the country to hand over their weapons to the government.
Iranian-backed militias such as Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Al-Nujaba and Kata'ib Sayyid ul-Shuhada have made a series of demands as the deadline looms, including the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces from Iraq as well as the end of all US political influence.
They also demand the dismantling of the PKK and the deployment of the Iraqi army within the Kurdistan Region, as well as the acquisition of missile and air defense systems capable of protecting Iraqi airspace—a clear rejection of the government's efforts.
The demands indicate that the issue is no longer solely focused on disarmament but is part of a broader political-security equation in Iraq.
September 30 is also the date scheduled for the departure of all coalition forces from Iraq after 23 years.
The US has pressured Iraq to complete the disarmament of militias in the country before coalition forces withdraw.