Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's attempt to bring Iran-linked militias under state control has become a critical test of the country's relationship with the United States.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zaidi's efforts to meet US demands to control these militias will significantly influence bilateral relations between Iraq and the US.
The Iran war has highlighted the power of Iran-linked militias in Iraq. Throughout the conflict, these groups have claimed responsibility for attacks against US interests, including drone and missile strikes. This situation underscores the challenges Iraq faces in maintaining neutrality in regional conflicts, despite government efforts to do so. The violence has emphasized one of Zaidi's primary challenges: consolidating weapons under state control.
Ibrahim al-Marashi, a modern Iraqi history professor at California State University, San Marcos, notes the delicate balancing act Iraq's leadership must perform. Zaidi must balance between a US that is hesitant to change regimes in Iran and an Iran that reacts aggressively to American actions. This balancing act has become urgent following months of regional conflict, with the US and Israel conducting strikes in Iraq, and Iraqi militias claiming numerous strikes in Gulf countries, Jordan, and Syria. Saudi Arabia has indicated that many drone attacks on its territory originated from Iraq.
The challenge for Zaidi has intensified as he navigates this complex geopolitical landscape. At 40, he became Iraq's youngest prime minister after emerging as a compromise candidate amid political deadlock. Since taking office, he has prioritized consolidating state authority and integrating armed groups into official institutions.
Discussions with Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Trkiye, have underscored Washington's pressure on Iraq to distance itself from Iranian influence and strengthen ties with regional partners. Barrack's expanded role reflects the US's broader strategy to draw Iraq away from Iran and closer to countries like Trkiye and Syria.
Zaidi's government has made progress, as evidenced by Asaib Ahl al-Haq's recent decision to disengage from the Popular Mobilization Forces and place its weapons under state control. This move follows similar actions by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the Kataib Imam Ali faction. The US has praised Iraq's efforts, describing them as a qualitative shift toward independence and sovereignty.
However, analysts caution that integrating these groups into state institutions is complex. Some factions remain resistant, particularly those deeply embedded in Iran's regional network. Chatham House analyst Renad Mansour has highlighted that while some groups appear cooperative, others continue to pursue independent military agendas.
The situation remains fluid, with Zaidi's ability and willingness to confront these groups being crucial to Iraq's future stability and its relationship with the US.