Can Iraq rein in Iran-backed armed factions before Sept. 30 deadline?
LONDON: Fresh violence by Iran-backed militias in Iraq have cast new doubt on Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's ambitious pledge to bring all weapons under state control by the end of September, underscoring the enormous challenge of curbing armed factions that have long operated beyond Baghdad's authority.
The renewed violence, including attacks blamed on Iran-aligned groups and the government's inability to fully enforce its authority against powerful militias, has become the first major test of Al-Zaidi’s strategy since taking office in May.
It has also heightened concerns among Iraq’s Gulf neighbors that the country could once again become a launchpad for a wider regional conflict.
Those concerns were amplified this week when Jordan warned Iraq that it could launch military operations against Iran-backed militias if attacks originating from Iraqi territory threaten Jordanian security.
