Small Wars Journal

Iraq Moves to Limit Influence of Iran-Backed Militias

Tue, 07/02/2019 - 11:42am

Iraq Moves to Limit Influence of Iran-Backed Militias by Qassim Abdul-Zahra – Associated Press

Iraq’s government moved Monday night to control powerful Iran-backed militias in the country, placing them under the full command of the Iraqi armed forces.

In a decree, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said offices of militias that continue to operate independently within or outside Iraqi cities will be closed and any armed faction working "openly or secretly" against the new guidelines will be considered illegitimate. He said the militias will be subject to the same regulations as the army.

The move comes amid U.S.-Iran tensions and follows several unclaimed attacks near U.S. forces or U.S. interests in Iraq…

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