Fadhel Al-Nashmi

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi says October 1 should mark a new phase of national sovereignty after the withdrawal of foreign forces, and he is seeking legislation to restrict weapons possession to the state. He argues that arms outside government control undermine the rule of law and state institutions. The September 30 withdrawal deadline applies to the US-led anti-ISIS coalition, while pro-Iran armed factions are also expected to lay down their weapons. Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi says Iraq’s constitution bars militias outside state frameworks, but disputes may center on whether armed factions’ weapons qualify as lawful resistance under the 2016 Popular Mobilization Forces law. The proposed legislation could provoke confrontation with factions that refuse to surrender their arms.

The United States has begun a previously planned withdrawal of troops, equipment, and Patriot air defense systems from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, particularly the Harir base near Erbil. Kurdish official Kifah Mahmoud said reports of a complete withdrawal reflected a misunderstanding, explaining that some defenses remain and that the drawdown is part of a US-Iraq agreement requiring the international coalition to leave by the end of September. The move follows the relocation of forces from Anbar Province to Harir and comes after dozens of missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran and allied Iraqi factions. Kurdish sources fear attacks will continue after the withdrawal, while both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government remain short of effective air-defense and early-warning capabilities.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi claimed that Ukrainian-linked cells had carried out limited attacks in Iraq and that several suspects admitted working for Ukraine. The allegations, which were not supported with publicly identified evidence, triggered criticism over the disclosure of intelligence before investigations were complete and over potential damage to Iraq’s diplomatic relations. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, said Iraq had not raised them through official channels, and accused Russian propaganda or a coordinated information operation of seeking to undermine Ukrainian-Iraqi ties.

Trump’s defense of the 2020 killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi reignited political tensions in Iraq. Al-Zaidi avoided directly addressing the strike, prompting mixed reactions from analysts who differed over whether his response was diplomatically effective. Iran-aligned factions strongly condemned Trump’s remarks and criticized al-Zaidi for distancing himself from past events, accusing the US of seeking to weaken the PMF and influence Iraq’s resources. Additional criticism came from Harakat al-Nujaba, whose leader praised Soleimani and al-Muhandis as resistance symbols.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told President Donald Trump in Washington that his government will prohibit any armed groups operating outside state authority after the US-led coalition ends its mission on September 30. Trump praised al-Zaidi’s leadership, highlighted plans for a major oil partnership with Iraq, and described Iran as a burden on the country. Al-Zaidi emphasized Iraq’s intention to strengthen economic ties with the United States while maintaining balanced regional relations. His visit includes meetings with senior US officials and major American energy companies to expand investment and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Iraqi armed factions aligned with Iran rejected government demands to surrender their weapons ahead of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, complicating efforts to end militia autonomy before the international coalition’s departure. Kataib Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq declared loyalty to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and vowed to strengthen their military capabilities, opposing the September disarmament deadline. Some groups, including those linked to Moqtada al-Sadr, have complied with state directives, but others’ resistance heightens political and security challenges. Analysts suggest hidden negotiations may eventually lead to disarmament and note that the judiciary is preparing legal measures that could classify unauthorized armed activity as terrorism. The government’s success depends on judicial actions, institutional reforms, and the ability to assert control over security forces despite continued defiance from Iran-backed factions.

Iraq's anti-corruption campaign is encountering internal resistance as disputes emerge between the government and Shiite political leaders over new arrest warrants targeting ministers, officials, and lawmakers. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's efforts have triggered concerns within ruling factions, particularly after arrests affecting members of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition. While the Coordination Framework publicly supports the campaign, many of its factions seek to manage its scope and avoid targeting influential figures. Judicial involvement has intensified amid political scrutiny, and settlement mechanisms requiring the return of embezzled funds have been applied to some defendants. Parliament has reacted with anxiety over potential arrests, with lawmakers criticizing both the execution of warrants and the handling of immunity requests. The campaign’s trajectory risks clashing with US pressure to disrupt financial networks linked to Iran.