Iraq links disarmament of resistance groups to US withdrawal amid Washington’s threat
Iraq links disarmament of resistance groups to US withdrawal amid Washington’s threats
M.U.H
04/11/202515
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has declared that resistance groups will only disarm once US forces leave the country, reaffirming plans for a full coalition withdrawal by 2026 amid threats from Washington.
Sudani emphasized Monday that a plan is still in place to have foreign forces purportedly fighting Daesh completely leave Iraq by September 2026 because the threat from terrorist groups have eased considerably.
“There is no Daesh. Security and stability? Thank God it's there ... so give me the excuse for the presence of 86 states (in a coalition)," he said, referring to the number of countries that have participated in the "coalition" since it was formed in 2014.
"Then, for sure there will be a clear program to end any arms outside of state institutions. This is the demand of all," Reuters quoted him as saying, noting that factions could enter official security forces or get into politics by laying down their arms.
Washington wants Sudani to disband resistance groups affiliated with the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of anti-terror factions that has been formally integrated into Iraqi government forces.
Sudani's remarks came as Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit al-Abbasi revealed that the United States has delivered its “final” and “most serious” warning to Iraq concerning the activities of resistance factions in the country.
In an interview over the weekend, Abbasi said that Washington’s latest message “concerns armed factions and includes a direct threat in the event that those factions carry out any operations in response to what Washington intends to do in the region near Iraq in the coming days.”
He explained that the warning was conveyed during a phone call with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, adding that Hegseth concluded the conversation by saying, “This is your final warning... and you know very well how the current administration will respond."
US President Donald Trump recently appointed a supporter of his 2024 presidential campaign—who has no government experience and previously ran only a chain of marijuana dispensaries—as his administration’s new special envoy to Iraq to help "advance the interests" of the United States.
In his fist official statement published on his X account last week, Mark Savaya said his mission is to help Iraq shun resistance groups and free it from what it called "external interference".
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during a press conference on Monday that Tehran views recent US threats as an attempt to interfere in Iraq’s domestic affairs, particularly ahead of its elections.
“In this context, we consider these threats a form of interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, especially as they are made on the eve of elections with the aim of creating tension and influencing the internal processes of an independent country,” Baghaei said.
He noted that such threats violate the principles of national sovereignty and respect for Iraq’s independence, reflecting the “interventionist and aggressive nature” of the United States.
Baghaei underscored that “these actions and attempts to create tension will have no impact on the determination of the Iraqi people, who are resolved to decide and act based on what they deem beneficial for their nation’s security and interests.”
Washington and Baghdad have agreed on a phased withdrawal of US forces, with a full withdrawal expected by the end of 2026. The initial withdrawal of troops began in 2025.
"Iraq is clear in its stances to maintain security and stability and that state institutions have the decision over war and peace, and that no side can pull Iraq to war or conflict," said Sudani in the interview.
