Earlier this week the intelligence chief for Harakat al-Nujaba was arrested. This led to threats of violence which resulted in the government backing down as it always has in these situations.
On August 17 the Counter Terror Forces detained Abbas al-Yaqoubi the head of intelligence for Harakat al-Nujaba in Dhi Qar. He was accused to taking part in recent attacks by the Resistance. This comes as part of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s attempt to bring the Resistance under state control.
Al-Nujaba threatened to burn Baghdad. There were reports that the Resistance would storm the Green Zone or assault it. Kataib Hezbollah claimed PM Zaidi was terrorizing the Resistance and their families with such raids.
The political class responded with an emergency meeting of the ruling Coordination Framework at the home of Ammar Hakim the head of the Hikma list. Afterwards Baghdad agreed to turn over Yaqoubi to the Hashd which the Resistance are part of.
This follows a pattern set by previous governments. The Resistance attacks Iraqis and neighboring states. People are arrested as a result but then the threat of violence leads the prime minister to back down.
This shows that the premier is not ready for a real confrontation with the Resistance over his disarmament program. He doesn’t want fighting to break out but on the other hand the factions are refusing to give up their weapons. It’s a no win situation for Zaidi and his failure to follow through with his program could make him a lame duck before he even finishes one year in office.
SOURCES
Al Mada, “A Bullet in the Wall of Calm: How Did the Factions’ Crisis Night End with Al-Yaqoubi’s Transfer to the PMF?” 8/19/26
Asharq Al-Awsat, “Iraq Tests Limits of State Power in Push to Rein in Armed Factions,” 8/18/26
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