Media: Gulf states step up pressure on Iraq over Iran-backed militias

The Gulf states, with the backing of the United States, are increasing pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to accelerate the disarmament of pro-Iranian armed groups, amid growing concerns over their activities in the region. 

Israeli broadcaster Kan11 reported that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi recently traveled to Baghdad, where he presented senior Iraqi officials with intelligence regarding the activities of the Iran-aligned groups against Gulf states. 

According to the report, al-Zaidi, supported by Washington and the Gulf states, has set the end of September as the deadline for the armed factions to surrender their weapons.

The report notes, however, that Iran and the forces it backs in Iraq are unlikely to relinquish their influence in the country anytime soon, suggesting that the standoff over the disarmament process is expected to persist.

By Vafa Guliyeva