Kataib Hezbollah Rejects Militia Disarmament Deal Following US Troop Departure from Iraq

The powerful Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah group has denied that an understanding was reached with Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi regarding the disarmament of militias, just hours after the departure of US troops from the country.

In a statement, Kataib Hezbollah secretary general Abu Hussein Al Hamidawi declared that “the resistance has won this round, and the victor is the one who imposes his conditions on the enemy,” referencing the withdrawal of the US-led coalition from Iraq on Wednesday. The September 30 deadline for the withdrawal was initially tied to the disarmament of militias but was pushed back to June next year.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the umbrella group of influential Iran-backed militias, stated late on Wednesday that it had engaged in negotiations for more than 40 days via a quadripartite committee formed by the Co-ordination Framework to discuss organising its weapons in return for full sovereignty, but it had not received a government response.

“The resistance's weapons will remain as a trust in the hands of our mujahideen,” the group said, insisting it is not bound by any political time frame. Mr Al Hamidawi added that there was no need for speculation, stating, “We did not reach a result with the Prime Minister, we waited for his answer until the last hour and it is better to start anew.”

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Prime Minister struck a different tone on Thursday, pledging to take “serious” steps to disarm Iran-backed armed groups hours after the militias denied any existing plan. Mr Al Zaidi announced in a statement marking October 1 as the day of full Iraqi sovereignty following the complete withdrawal of international coalition forces that serious work to address weapons outside of state control begins now.

“The government will work to fully disarm all non-Iraqi armed groups present on Iraqi territory,” he said, affirming a “constitutional commitment to prevent Iraqi land and airspace from being used as a launch pad or corridor for any act threatening neighbouring states.” He also noted that the government will begin purchasing complete air defence systems to reinforce air sovereignty.

Regarding the Popular Mobilisation Forces, Mr Al Zaidi stated that the law approved on Wednesday would cement their status within the security system under the commander-in-chief. In response, Mr Hamidawi ordered his fighters to halt all military operations—except for targeting hostile aircraft violating the country's airspace—until government air defences are completed.

Only two prominent pro-Tehran armed groups, Asaib Ahl Al Haq and Kataib Imam Ali, alongside cleric Moqtada Al Sadr’s Saraya Al Salam faction, claim they have placed their weapons under state authority. However, hardline factions, principally Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba, have previously maintained they will not disarm until foreign troops leave.

Amid these developments, celebrations erupted in Iraqi streets on Wednesday as security forces held parades to mark the end of the coalition's mission, with soldiers marching in convoys, flashing victory signs, and waving Iraqi flags.