Iran-backed militias get Sept. 30 deadline to disarm: What to know

Baghdad: Iraq’s government has ordered pro-Iran armed groups to disarm by September 30 or face legal consequences, tying the deadline to the scheduled end of the US-led international coalition’s mission against the Daesh (Islamic State) group.

At least four groups are among the most influential Iran-aligned armed factions operating in Iraq.

While all are broadly part of what Iran calls the "Axis of Resistance", they differ significantly in their relationship with Tehran, military roles, political influence, and willingness to integrate into the Iraqi state.

Most are affiliated, formally or informally, with Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization created in 2014 to fight ISIS that later became part of Iraq's official security apparatus, although many factions continue to maintain independent command structures.

Some of the groups targeted US facilities in Iraq during the Middle East war sparked by Israeli-American strikes against Iran in late February.

Government spokesman Haidar Al-Aboudi announced the ultimatum Monday during a weekly press briefing.

He said all relevant armed groups had been notified that Sept. 30 marks the cutoff, after which “all weapons outside the state framework will be subject to legal redress.”

The move comes as new Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi prepares for a visit to the United States and amid reported US pressure on Baghdad to assert greater control over weapons and reduce the influence of Iran-aligned factions.

Many of these groups operate under the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella of mostly Shiite militias formalised as part of Iraq’s state security apparatus after the fight against Daesh.

Some factions have maintained significant autonomy, parallel command structures and ties to Iran, occasionally clashing with US forces or complicating Baghdad’s foreign policy.

Successive Iraqi governments have sought fuller integration or disarmament, but progress has been slow.

The September 30 deadline aligns with the planned wind-down of the US-led coalition’s presence in Iraq as Washington is exerting pressure on Baghdad to ensure the factions turn in their weapons.

Officials have long argued that the continued foreign military footprint provides a pretext for some groups to retain independent arms.

Some Iran-backed factions, such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali, have signaled willingness to integrate or place weapons under state control.

Others, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah Al-Nujaba, have expressed resistance, as per the Washington Institute.

The announcement reflects ongoing efforts by Al-Zaidi’s government to consolidate state sovereignty while balancing relations with Washington and Tehran.

Implementation will likely face political and security challenges given the factions’ entrenched roles in Iraqi politics and the economy.

Following are the key Iran-backed factions in Iraq [precise manpower figures are disputed because most groups operate through multiple brigades and reserve networks]

Founded: 2005-2006

AAH emerged after splitting from Jaish al-Mahdi, the militia loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr. According to the Washington Institute, the split was encouraged by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Lebanese Hezbollah to intensify attacks against U.S. forces following the 2003 Iraq War.

Characteristics

Founded: 2007

Widely regarded by security analysts as Iran's premier Iraqi proxy, KH evolved from IRGC-backed "special groups" fighting US forces after the Iraq invasion.

The Washington Institute describes KH as effectively functioning as a branch of the IRGC-Qods Force, with extensive military, intelligence and missile capabilities. The United States designated KH a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity in 2009.

Characteristics

Founded: June 2014

KIA was established as the armed wing of the Islamic Movement of Iraq during ISIS's rapid advance across Iraq.

Unlike KH, analysts say KIA has increasingly emphasized commercial enterprises and political influence while maintaining armed capabilities.

The Washington Institute notes the group has close links with Lebanese Hezbollah and has facilitated attacks against U.S. forces while expanding its economic networks.

Characteristics

Founded: 2013

Founded by Akram al-Kaabi after leaving AAH, Nujaba became one of Iran's principal expeditionary forces during the Syrian civil war.

The Washington Institute describes it as one of the most ideologically committed components of Iran's regional "Axis of Resistance."

Unlike AAH, whose focus is largely Iraqi politics, Nujaba has concentrated heavily on regional military operations, particularly in Syria alongside Iranian and Syrian government forces.

Characteristics

Despite organisational differences, these factions generally share several features:

The groups have recently diverged over Iraq's efforts to consolidate all weapons under state control.

These differing positions highlight growing tensions within Iraq's Iran-aligned armed network. Some factions appear willing to integrate more fully into state institutions, while others continue to prioritise their role as components of Iran's broader regional security architecture.