Rex Tillerson Calls for Withdrawal of Iranian Militias from Iraq

On Sunday, October 22, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for Iranian-backed Shiite militias to leave Iraqi territory. He also urged European countries to halt trade with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Tillerson, who was in Riyadh for discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council officials, stated at a press conference, "Certainly, Iranian militias are present in Iraq, and now that the battle against ISIS is coming to an end, these militias should return to their country." He emphasized that "all foreign fighters should return to their home countries." Tillerson also called for the Iranian-backed Shiite militias to exit the political scene in Iraq. These militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), have been active in the past two years against ISIS and were involved in the developments related to Kirkuk province, which led to the retreat of Kurdish Peshmerga forces from the area alongside the Iraqi army. Peshmerga commanders have repeatedly accused the IRGC of embedding its forces within the ranks of the Iraqi army and Shiite militias during the Kirkuk battle. Kurdish lawmakers specifically mentioned Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, who had traveled to Sulaymaniyah three times and warned the Kurds against resisting the Iraqi army. According to AFP, Tillerson's visit to the Gulf region is part of U.S. efforts to counter Iranian Shiite influence in the Middle East, including strengthening the Saudi front in Iraq. This trip follows President Donald Trump's announcement of an aggressive U.S. strategy against the Islamic Republic of Iran on October 13, which included a refusal to certify the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). After attending a preliminary meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Committee with leaders from both countries, Tillerson told reporters that a successful and independent Iraq would thwart Iran's "malign behavior." According to the Associated Press, Tillerson stated, "We believe this situation will help counter some of Iran's unconstructive influences in Iraq." He noted that countries outside the region could also play a role, especially by distancing themselves from the powerful IRGC, which has a significant presence in Iran's economy. Tillerson urged European countries to stop trading with the IRGC, adding that companies and countries that engage in trade with the IRGC "are really putting themselves in great danger." He reiterated, "We hope that European companies, countries, and others around the world will join the United States in imposing structural sanctions to prevent the specific activities of the IRGC, a force that has caused instability in the region." Trump, in his new strategy against Iran, placed the entire IRGC on the U.S. sanctions list. The IRGC has been repeatedly accused of exacerbating unrest and instability in the Middle East through its interventions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.