Iran-backed Iraqi militias escalate demands ahead of disarmament deadline

Iran-backed militias in Iraq, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Al-Nujaba, and Kata'ib Sayyid ul-Shuhada, have escalated their demands as the Iraqi government's September 30 deadline for disarmament approaches. These groups are calling for the withdrawal of U.S. and Turkish forces from Iraq and an end to all U.S. political influence. Furthermore, they are demanding the dismantling of the PKK and the deployment of the Iraqi army within the Kurdistan Region. The militias also insist on acquiring missile and air defense systems to protect Iraqi airspace, a move viewed as a rejection of government efforts to centralize control over weaponry. These demands suggest that the issue has expanded beyond disarmament into a broader political-security struggle. September 30 is also the scheduled date for the departure of all coalition forces from Iraq after 23 years. The U.S. has previously pressured Baghdad to complete the disarmament of these militias prior to the coalition's withdrawal.