Trump Declares Iraq Ready for Independence from U.S. Troops
President Donald Trump announced that Iraq is now self-sufficient and no longer requires U.S. military support. At the same time, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stated that armed groups outside government control would lack any justification after the coalition mission concludes.
The Trump administration is encouraging Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to dismantle militia groups linked to Iran, despite some challenges. While Middle Eastern experts remain cautiously optimistic, a senior Iraqi official revealed in late August that the Iraqi government will not treat September 30 as the deadline to disarm these groups, known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).
“September 30 is the date for the international coalition’s departure, not the disarmament deadline,” Qasim al-Araji, a security advisor to the prime minister, stated to Al Iraqiya on August 23.
Iraq’s government aims to incorporate these militias into the state framework. Some leaders, like Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, support this integration. However, hardliner militias such as Kataeb Hezbollah resist disbanding or merging into state forces.
Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi made clear during the Baghdad Dialogue Conference that all political entities aim to ensure weapon control under state authority. He emphasized that uncontrolled arms discourage investment and do not serve Iraqi interests.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, Iraq’s deputy oil minister, for diverting oil funds to Iranian militias. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent condemned this exploitation of Iraqi resources.
Al-Bahadly was later sentenced to prison for corruption. Yet, former U.S. ambassador Alberto Fernandez remarked that profits from sanctioned oil sales partly finance Iranian militias in Iraq. The Iraqi government refuted Fernandez’s claim.
A State Department spokesperson stated Iraq is pivoting under Al-Zaidi towards a partnership with the United States. President Trump highlighted this during Al-Zaidi’s visit to the White House, supporting a future for Iraq free from terrorism.
Former deputy prime minister spokesperson Entifadh Qanbar expressed doubts about Al-Zaidi’s resolve to disband militias. He noted that despite some promises of disarmament, no substantial actions have been confirmed.
Reports suggest that following a visit by Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, militia leaders were told to resist the disarmament deadline. This move aligns with Iran’s regional strategy.
Elizabeth Tsurkov from the New Lines Institute observed that while Iraq attempts to curb militia power, these groups frequently intimidate government forces, resulting in repeated concessions by the state.
A notable incident involved the arrest of Abbas al-Yaqubi by Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service. After the arrest, al-Yaqubi was transferred back to PMU intelligence, which many saw as a setback for the Iraqi government.