US and Iraq Discuss Militia Disarmament as Deadline is Extended to June 2027

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi recently met to emphasize the critical need to disarm militia groups throughout Iraq. This discussion took place alongside the extension of the deadline to bring all arms under government control, moving it from the end of this month to June of next year.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Rubio and the Iraqi leader reached a consensus. According to a statement released by the State Department, both leaders “agreed on the importance of Iraq dismantling terrorist militias, preventing attacks from Iraqi territory, and fully exercising its sovereignty.”

Washington has consistently pressured Mr Al Zaidi to rein in Iran-backed militia groups and ensure that all weapons held by non-state actors fall under state authority. Initially, the Iraqi prime minister had vowed to complete the disarmament of these groups by September 30, which was the same deadline established for the withdrawal of US-led forces.

However, in an interview with The New York Times published on Monday, Mr Al Zaidi stated that the government now aims to finalize the disarmament process by June 2027. This confirmation validated prior suspicions that the initial September deadline would not be met, as militia groups have strongly resisted the disarmament push.

Several prominent pro-Tehran armed groups, including Asaib Ahl Al Haq and Kataib Imam Ali, alongside cleric Moqtada Al Sadr’s Saraya Al Salam faction, have asserted that they placed their weapons under state authority. Conversely, hardline factions—most notably Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba—have declared they will refuse to disarm until foreign troops depart.

Adding to the uncertainty, Mr Al Zaidi's security adviser, Qasim Al Araji, stated last week that there was no fixed date to finalize the process, thereby questioning the viability of the September 30 target. Furthermore, an Iraqi official close to Mr Al Zaidi informed The National that the Iran-backed militias have failed to demonstrate any genuine intent to surrender their weapons.

“There is significant resistance from militia groups regarding disarmament, complicating the withdrawal process and Iraq’s internal security landscape,” the official noted. Describing the initiative, Mr Al Zaidi remarked in the interview, “This is not something that is optional. It is a necessity. Others who spoke of this then backtracked. They yielded to pressure or to other concerns. For me, this issue, along with that of corruption, is a matter of honour.”

Since taking office in May, Mr Al Zaidi has prioritized both the disarmament process and the ongoing fight against corruption. These very issues have generated substantial international pressure on his administration, particularly from the US. During the meeting in New York, Mr Al Zaidi “reiterated the government’s determination to fulfil its sovereign responsibilities and move forward with measures to ensure that all arms remain under state authority,” according to his office.

To facilitate this transition, a special committee has been formed by the government and the Co-ordination Framework, an umbrella organization consisting of Iran-backed political parties and militias, with the ultimate goal of transferring all weapons into state hands.