The Iran-backed umbrella group said Wednesday it is giving the Iraqi government until August 6 to explain how it will act on the demand for militias to lay down weapons, hinting at possible escalation after the deadline.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-backed militias, announced Wednesday that it is granting the Iraqi government a final extension until August 6 to clarify how it intends to act on its demand that armed groups disarm. The group hinted that after this date, it will evaluate its next steps based on the government's conduct. The statement is the latest in a series of exchanges between Baghdad and the militias over the future of weapons outside state control. The Iraqi government has previously called on armed factions to surrender their weapons, but the militias have resisted. The new deadline set by the Islamic Resistance suggests a hardening of positions, with the group signaling that it will not wait indefinitely for the government to act.
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
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