The Iran-aligned Shia militia group said Wednesday it is giving the Iraqi government a maximum extension until the 23rd of the month to clarify its stance on the demand for the group to lay down its weapons, hinting at possible escalation after the deadline.
The Islamic Movement in Iraq, an Iran-aligned Shia militia, released a statement Wednesday evening giving the Iraqi government a maximum extension until the 23rd of the month to respond to demands for the group to disarm. The group said it is waiting to see what the government intends to do, hinting at possible escalation after the deadline. The statement did not specify the month, but the ultimatum comes amid a series of government efforts to assert state authority over armed factions. Earlier Wednesday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group, granted a separate extension until August 6. In June, the Iraqi Prime Minister's office ordered armed factions to disarm by September 30, reflecting ongoing tensions between Baghdad and the militias.
2 developments
- DevelopingIraq PM's office orders armed factions to disarm by September 30
- DevelopingIraqi government: militia weapons to be subordinated to state upon foreign withdrawal at end of September
- DevelopingIslamic Movement in Iraq vows response is 'on the way, no doubt'
- DevelopingUS, Iraqi officials confirm full US military withdrawal from Iraq by September 30
Source and signal
- Open-source intake