Iraq issues stark warning to Iran-backed militias Disarm or face terror charges

Iraq's top political leadership has issued its strongest warning yet to Iran-backed armed groups, saying that failure to comply with a September 30 deadline to surrender weapons could result in terrorism charges and legal action, The National reports.

The warning followed a late Wednesday meeting of the State Administration Coalition, which brings together major Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish political parties whose support is crucial for maintaining the government's broad political legitimacy.

The meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, was attended by President Nizar Amedi, Parliament Speaker Haibat Al Halbousi, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan, and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the coalition reaffirmed its support for "continued efforts to maintain security and stability and the efforts to confine weapons to the hands of the state."

The statement specifically addressed attacks carried out by pro-Iran armed factions against neighboring countries, warning against using Iraqi territory as a platform for regional confrontations.

The coalition expressed support for government efforts aimed at "preventing the use of Iraqi lands as a launchpad to attack neighbouring countries or dragging Iraq into conflicts that do not serve the interests of its people."

It added: "The coalition considers that whoever engages in this behaviour commits a crime of threatening the country’s security and will be among the outlaws who must be fought."

The Iraqi government has set September 30 as the deadline for armed groups to disarm, coinciding with the timeline for the withdrawal of US troops under a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington. While several factions have announced plans to integrate into state security institutions, others have resisted the move.

After the deadline, the coalition said, "any armed behaviour outside the framework of the state will be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law."

The presence of Chief Justice Zaidan at the meeting was seen as a signal that legal mechanisms are being prepared to address violations, potentially shifting the response from political negotiations to prosecution.

The warning came alongside condemnation of recent attacks targeting the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-backed umbrella organization of armed groups. The coalition said it "condemned the attacks that targeted units of the Iraqi Armed Forces and the martyrdom of a number of its members," without naming those responsible.

The statement comes amid growing international pressure on Baghdad to curb militia attacks on US interests and regional targets. Washington has warned that continued attacks could trigger further retaliation, while Iraqi authorities seek to prevent the country from being drawn deeper into wider regional tensions.

The coalition also discussed Iraq's economic challenges, calling for diversified oil export routes, increased non-oil revenues, and stronger efforts against corruption and smuggling. It reiterated that the government’s priority remains "protecting citizens’ interests."

By Vafa Guliyeva