Foad Hussein: Iraq Seeks to Disarm Iran-affiliated Militias

Foad Hussein, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, stated in an interview with Reuters that the government is in talks with leaders of militia groups to disarm these groups and integrate them into the country's security forces. According to Reuters, this action by the Iraqi government comes in response to significant changes in the Middle East, including the severe weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas, two major proxy groups of the Iranian regime, due to heavy Israeli attacks and the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria. Some prominent figures in the incoming administration of Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, have promised that pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran will increase with his return to the White House. Given the close ties between Iraqi Shiite militias and the Iranian government, as well as the extensive changes in the balance of power in the region, some Iraqi officials are concerned about political stability in the country. However, Foad Hussein, in his interview with Reuters during his visit to London, expressed that he does not believe that the storm of regional changes will engulf Iraq as well. The Iraqi Foreign Minister recalled that two or three years ago, discussions about disarming militia groups in the country were 'impossible,' but now the existence of armed groups outside the control of the government is 'unacceptable.' Foad Hussein noted that many leaders and political groups have begun discussions with militia leaders on this issue and expressed hope that these groups would lay down their arms and join the armed forces under the control of the central government. This statement is somewhat a response from Baghdad to the remarks of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, during a meeting with Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq, on January 9, where he called for strengthening the Shiite militia group Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq. Khamenei had told the Iraqi Prime Minister: 'Hashd al-Shaabi is one of the important components of power in Iraq that must be strengthened more than ever.' Hashd al-Shaabi is one of the proxy groups of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East. The Iraqi Foreign Minister also expressed hope that the 'good relations' with Washington would continue during Donald Trump's second term but added that it is still too early to predict Mr. Trump's foreign policy regarding Iraq or the Iranian government. He mentioned Iraq's mediating role in normalizing relations between the Iranian government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stating that his country is ready to play a similar role in relations with Tehran and Washington. Regarding Syria, Foad Hussein emphasized the importance of an inclusive political process in the country and stated that Baghdad will begin exporting oil and grain to Damascus once it is assured that it reaches all Syrian citizens. He also mentioned that Iraqi officials are concerned about the resurgence of the ISIS terrorist group and are in contact with the new rulers of Syria.