Iran Putting Forward Plans To Maintain Resistance Factions In Iraq

Iran's Quds Force Commander Gen Qaani recently visited Iraq to talk with the Resistance and the ruling Coordination Framework 

  

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has set September 30 as the date for the pro-Iran Resistance factions to disarm. Tehran is attempting to come up with ways to maintain its allies while not causing a conflict with Baghdad.

 

Government official told the media that if groups do not turn over their weapons by the deadline the security forces will surround their headquarters cutting off their movement and resupply in the hopes that they will comply. This effort will focus upon Jurf al-Sakhr in Babil which is a large Kataib Hezbollah base as well as Jurf al-Nada run by Harakat al-Nujaba in south Baghdad province. There is also talk of the premier replacing the two heads of the Hashd Commission Falih al-Fayad and Abu Fadak who comes from Kataib Hezbollah as well as placing military officers within the organization to make it more responsive to the state.

 

Putting the Resistance under state control is one of the pillars of PM Zaidi’s term. He is hoping that will bring not only stability to Iraq but also appease the United States which is attempting to limit Iran’s influence in the Middle East.

 

Tehran on the other hand has its own plans. It has proposed that the Resistance will place their weapons in depots that are controlled by the Hashd Commission which the groups have de facto control over. In return the factions will get government positions as many of them such as Asaib Ahl Al-Haq won seats in parliament in the last election. Rather than nominate members they will put forward technocrats who are under their sway. Iran hopes this will get around the Americans demand that no Resistance group be part of the new administration. By doing so Iran believes it can preserve their allies while not leading to an armed conflict with the government which is also run by their friends.

 

Tehran feels it has the upper hand on President Trump because of his mishandling of the war. Iraq policy is not driven by him at all but rather by members of his national security staff. They have been pushing a very hard line so it’s doubtful they will agree to Iran’s ideas. The question is whether there is any appetite within the White House to keep pressuring Baghdad when the president is obviously trying to move on.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Alam, “The Era of “Jihadi” Leadership Ends: Sources Confirm Removal of Al-Fayad and Abu Fadak, and Handover of the PMF to Army Officers,” 8/11/26

 

Asharq Al-Awsat, “Baghdad Moves to Encircle Positions Run by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Without Confrontation,” 8/12/26

 

Al Mada, “Don’t Surrender Your Weapons - Just Store Them Under the Faction’s Name! A “Potpourri” Formula Attempts to Untangle the Deadlock Over Vacant Ministries,” 8/12/26

- “Factions in the “Shadow Plan”: Weapons Stored Away and “Drone Pockets” for Emergencies!” 8/13/26

 

Shafaq News, “Iraq factions to surrender weapons to PMF by Sept. 30,” 8/9/26