Iraq’s Battle to Disarm Militias: Government Faces Stiff Resistance
Failure to dismantle armed factions could have severe consequences for Sudani’s leadership, both domestically and internationally.
Feb. 1, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi government is intensifying efforts to disarm militias and consolidate security control under the state, but armed factions continue to resist, complicating one of Iraq’s pressing security and political challenges.
A Struggle for State Sovereignty
Disarming militias remains a high-stakes issue for Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, whose administration seeks to rein in the influence of non-state armed groups.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all security and military decisions remain under state authority, emphasizing that negotiations with militias to surrender their weapons are ongoing.
“We need international cooperation to counter the growing threats posed by ISIS,” Hussein stated, pointing to concerns over how the new U.S. administration will handle regional developments.
High Stakes for Al-Sudani’s Government
Failure to dismantle armed factions could have severe consequences for Sudani’s leadership, both domestically and internationally.
The Iraqi Prime Minister has been trying to send a message to the global community that his government is tackling Iraq’s militia problem, yet on-the-ground realities suggest that progress has been slow, with minimal impact on the country’s security dynamics.
Challenges in Enforcing Compliance
A prominent member of the Shiite Coordination Framework, Ali Al-Zubaidi, acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating: "No one envies the prime minister right now. What he has started is extremely difficult. Controlling these groups is not easy; making this one of the most complex issues on his agenda."
Despite growing frustration, the Iraqi government has opted for a diplomatic strategy rather than the use of force to dismantle armed groups.
The parliamentary Security and Defense Committee affirmed this approach, stating: “The government has taken serious steps to resolve the armed group issue through negotiations rather than military confrontation.”
An Uncertain Path Forward
The coming months will determine whether al-Sudani’s cabinet can successfully disarm militias and reassert state authority, or if Iraq will continue to grapple with the persistent challenge of armed factions operating outside state control.
With sectarian and political tensions still high, the outcome of these efforts will be critical in shaping Iraq’s future security landscape and determining whether the state can stand independent of militia influence.
