Iraqi Militias Reject Reports of Split from Government as Global Scrutiny Intensifies
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Iraqi Militias Reject Reports of Split from Government as Global Scrutiny Intensifies

ERBIL — Reports in Western media suggesting that Iraq’s armed groups are refusing integration with government forces have sparked widespread debate in Iraq’s political and security circles’ however, sources close to the groups insist that their relationship with the government remains "cooperative and coordinated." 

This comes as international pressure mounts on Baghdad to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed factions and bring them under full state control. According to Ibrahim Sumaidaie, an advisor to Iraq’s prime minister, foreign actors are intensifying their calls for the government to disarm and dismantle powerful militias operating outside official state structures.    

A senior source from Iraq’s armed factions told Baghdad Al-Youm that these groups maintain direct and "legitimate" engagement with the government on security matters. The source dismissed US reports claiming that militias have refused to integrate with Iraqi forces, calling them "misleading narratives" aimed at shaping public perception. “Our groups have consistently communicated with the government to ensure that all security-related decisions are formal and transparent,” the source stated. 

Additionally, the source rejected speculation that the militias are being used as political leverage, blaming "certain media outlets" for portraying them as independent actors pursuing their own agenda. "We have a clear strategic vision and operate within the framework of Iraq’s national security interests," the source added. 

As regional dynamics shift, concerns are growing about the future role of Iraq’s armed factions. The declining influence of Iran in the region, particularly following developments in Syria, has weakened some of Tehran’s allied groups in Iraq, according to US and Iraqi officials who spoke with The Associated Press. 

Iraq’s security officials fear that the power vacuum left behind could be exploited by Islamic State remnants, further destabilizing the country. Meanwhile, Washington and its allies are pushing Baghdad to take decisive action against militias that continue to operate with relative autonomy. 

A senior official from Iraq’s Joint Coordination Framework told AP, “Many within Iraq’s leadership prefer the continued presence of US forces as a stabilizing factor. They do not want Iraq to descend into the same chaos seen in Syria.” 

Ibrahim Sumaidaie, Iraq’s former prime ministerial advisor, previously revealed that there is growing international pressure on the government to dismantle independent armed groups as part of broader efforts to reinforce national sovereignty. 

However, while the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) remains an official security institution, reports suggest that some affiliated militias operate beyond state oversight. This has fueled skepticism in Washington and Western capitals about Baghdad’s ability—or willingness—to impose full control. 

Western policymakers continue to advocate for the dissolution of what they call "parallel state actors," urging Iraq to consolidate all armed forces under formal government institutions.   

The ongoing debate raises fundamental questions about the future of Iraq’s armed factions and their relationship with the government. Analysts believe there are two possible scenarios: either these groups are integrated into formal security institutions—similar to the PMF—or a deeper power struggle unfolds, forcing the government to make difficult choices under international scrutiny. 

While Baghdad seeks to balance internal stability with external diplomatic considerations, Iraq’s armed groups remain a key player in both the country’s security landscape and its broader political calculus. 

The coming months will likely determine whether Iraq can forge a compromise that secures both its sovereignty and stability—or whether it will face escalating internal and external tensions over the role of its armed factions.

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