US Warns Iraq Over Armed Groups, Channel8 Source Says
At a Glance
- Washington has warned Iraq over armed groups refusing to disarm.
- The source says the US could seek to place Iraq on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list if the dispute remains unresolved.
- Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has secured Coordination Framework backing to take legal measures against groups that reject the agreement.
- Several armed factions have expressed support for disarmament, while others have rejected a government deadline.
Information received by Channel8 indicates that the United States has warned Iraq of possible consequences if armed groups refuse to comply with an agreed disarmament process.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- US Warning: "If they do not reach an agreement and the groups persist, Iraq will be added to the State Sponsors of Terrorism list." — An informed source to Channel8, describing the US message to Ali Faleh al-Zaidi.
- Disarmament Position: "We reject compliance with any deadline for laying down arms set by the government or political parties." — Jaafar al-Husseini, spokesperson for Kataib Hezbollah.
- Focus Area: The dispute centers on armed groups refusing to meet an agreed timetable for disarmament and the government's response to their position.
An informed source told Channel8 that the latest Coordination Framework meeting focused heavily on two armed groups that have rejected disarmament despite an earlier understanding with the government.
According to the source, the groups had been expected to issue a joint statement following the declaration of sovereignty and the withdrawal of US forces, confirming their commitment to the agreement and the process of laying down their weapons.
The source said the groups instead issued statements rejecting adherence to any timetable for disarmament, creating a new challenge for the government.
The United States subsequently sent a letter to Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi regarding the groups' position, according to the source. The message warned that failure to resolve the dispute could lead to Iraq being placed on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
The warning prompted Zaidi to call an urgent meeting of the Coordination Framework, according to the source. Framework leaders expressed support for the prime minister and agreed that he could pursue legal measures against groups that reject the agreement.
The source said the Framework's leaders also agreed to endorse the decision collectively. The Coordination Framework is expected to meet on Monday to finalize the government cabinet and gather signatures supporting the government, according to the information provided to Channel8.
A joint statement by Framework leaders is also expected. According to the source, the statement would seek to reassure Washington that the political factions support the government and that Zaidi will pursue legal action against groups that fail to comply.
Positions of the Armed Groups
Since September 30, Abu Ala al-Walai, secretary-general of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Haidar al-Gharawi, secretary-general of the Ansar Allah al-Awfiya Movement, have expressed positions supportive of the prime minister's statement, according to the information provided.
Akram al-Kaabi, secretary-general of the Al-Nujaba Movement, also welcomed the withdrawal of US forces and described it as an achievement.
Kataib Hezbollah, however, has rejected the government's disarmament deadline. Its spokesperson, Jaafar al-Husseini, said the group had been negotiating with the government for 40 days through a four-member committee formed by the Coordination Framework.
Al-Husseini rejected compliance with a deadline imposed by the government or political parties. Other armed groups, including Awliya al-Dam and Ashab al-Kahf, have also rejected the reported disarmament agreement. The latest developments leave the government facing a dispute over how to enforce the agreement while maintaining the backing of the political forces within the Coordination Framework.
FYI
The issue of armed groups operating outside the formal state security structure has remained a major political and security question in Iraq. The government's efforts to establish exclusive state control over weapons have also been closely linked to discussions over the future role of US forces and Iraq's security relationship with Washington.
The latest dispute comes after the US military withdrawal from Iraq and renewed political pressure on armed factions to integrate their activities within the authority of the Iraqi state. The positions of individual factions have differed, leaving the government to balance internal political support with pressure from Washington.
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