‘Armed Groups Pledge No Tension with U.S.’ al-Hakim

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — In a significant political statement that reflects the delicate balance of power in Iraq, Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Al-Hikma Movement, announced that armed factions in Iraq remain committed to the decisions of the Iraqi government and are not seeking confrontation with the United States.

Speaking on Friday, during the fifth session of the "Iraqi Home Salon" held in Baghdad, al-Hakim addressed a gathering of political, academic, and religious figures. He stressed that "the armed groups do not want to put Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government in an uncomfortable position, so they will adhere to government decisions to avoid provoking tensions with America."

"The current situation is not suitable for a confrontation between armed groups and the United States," al-Hakim added. "These groups seek to maintain Iraq's sovereignty and internal stability, not jeopardize it by inciting conflict or engaging in actions that might be interpreted as violations of sovereignty."

His remarks come at a time of heightened speculation about the future role of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a powerful coalition of predominantly Shia militias formed in 2014 to combat ISIS. The group is now at the center of a controversial legislative push in the Iraqi Parliament to regulate its structure, service terms, and financial entitlements.

The Iraqi Parliament resumed its sessions last Monday, with the first reading of the PMF Service and Retirement Law topping the agenda. The draft bill consisted of 18 articles aimed at formalizing the PMF's internal regulations and aligning it with Iraq's official security apparatus. While it enjoyed strong backing from PMF leadership, the bill deepened divisions within Iraq's Shia political blocs.

Factions such as the State of Law coalition, led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the Sadiqoun bloc, linked to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, protested delays in the bill's inclusion, highlighting structural and financial disagreements and raising concerns over which factions stood to benefit most. Analysts suggested the legislation could either formalize PMF integration into state structures or entrench it as a parallel military force akin to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

A recent report by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy warned that the law was less about reform and more about consolidating power and resources for Iran-aligned factions. The PMF’s leadership included individuals designated as terrorists by the U.S., such as Chairman Faleh al-Fayyad and operational commander Abu Fadak of Kataib Hezbollah. The bill's backers had resisted folding the PMF under existing military service laws, preferring separate legislation since 2019 to secure autonomy and increased funding—reportedly over $3.4 billion annually.

Read More: Iraqi Parliament to Begin First Reading of Contentious PMF Bill

Prime Minister Sudani also weighed in on the matter, affirming in a televised interview that Iraq had not received any formal request from the U.S. concerning the dissolution of the PMF. "No one can force Iraq to end the mission of the PMF," Sudani stated, asserting Iraq’s sovereign right to shape its national security policy.

On the same day, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq reiterated Tehran’s opposition to dismantling the PMF, dismissing any U.S. request for its dissolution as "unacceptable" and reaffirming that decisions on Iraq’s armed forces rest solely with Baghdad.

Read More: Iran's Ambassador to Iraq Responds to Trump’s Call for Dissolution of PMF

Iran’s message of restraint has extended beyond diplomacy. In a secret visit to Baghdad, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani met with senior members of the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework and militia leaders, issuing a direct order to halt all military activity. Qaani warned that any show of solidarity with the Houthis in Yemen or provocative action against U.S. or Israeli interests could make Iraq a target of U.S. retaliation. “U.S. military strikes on Houthi positions could quickly extend to Baghdad,” he reportedly told militia leaders.

Read More: Iran Warns Iraqi Militias to Stand Down Amid U.S. Strikes on Houthis

Qaani urged factions to suspend military operations, reduce armed visibility, and maintain a low profile. His appeal appears to have been taken seriously, as Houthi-affiliated offices in Baghdad have been quietly shut down. A facility near the Green Zone, established in early 2023, has been closed, and banners supporting Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi have been taken down. Additional closures across Baghdad and southern Iraq are reportedly under consideration.

The Iraqi government has denied reports of a Houthi training camp in Diyala province, but the presence of Houthi-affiliated personnel has alarmed U.S. and Yemeni officials. Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani welcomed Iraq’s cooperation but called for a firmer stance against any pro-Houthi activity.

U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, recently discussed regional tensions in a call with Prime Minister Sudani, emphasizing the need for cooperation to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea and counter Iranian proxy threats.

Read More: Iraqi PM holds productive call with US Secretary of Defense to discuss key issues

Behind the scenes, the stakes are escalating. According to Iraqi political sources, the U.S. is preparing a new round of sanctions targeting over ten individuals affiliated with Iran-backed armed groups and their associated companies. These measures, aimed at disrupting currency smuggling and weakening Iran's economic influence in Iraq, come amid increasing scrutiny of the PMF's expanding role.

Five Iraqi banks have already been sanctioned for illegal financial activities, and further restrictions are expected, including a ban on the use of international electronic payment cards. The sanctions could affect Iraq’s economic stability, and the Foreign Ministry is reportedly engaging U.S. officials to mitigate potential fallout.

Read More: Iraq’s Foreign Ministry Works to Avert US Sanctions on PMF Leaders, Companies

Meanwhile, political infighting continues to obstruct parliamentary progress. The PMF law remains a flashpoint within the Shiite Coordination Framework. Rivalries over leadership—especially the future of Faleh al-Fayyad—have stalled consensus. While some factions back his continued leadership, others seek to install younger, loyalist figures.

The original PMF Law, passed in 2016 amid Sunni opposition, recognized the PMF as an auxiliary force linked to the Iraqi military's commander-in-chief. It mandated that PMF members fall under the same military laws while prohibiting political activity within its ranks. However, the current legislative drive signals an effort to recalibrate the PMF’s structure and authority, further complicating the balance between state control and militia independence.

As Iraq's parliament prepares to reopen debate, the direction of this legislation will shape not only the PMF’s future but Iraq's broader post-ISIS security architecture. With domestic divisions deepening, international scrutiny mounting, and Tehran urging restraint, the next steps in Baghdad will reverberate far beyond its borders.

Al-Hakim’s declaration, then, comes not merely as a call for calm but as a crucial signal in the wider contest over Iraq's sovereignty, its security order, and the tug-of-war between Iranian and American influence. Whether consensus can be forged in Parliament or tensions will escalate further remains to be seen.