It’s time for Iraq’s militias to lay down weapons
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
The number of US troops in Iraq now is down to only 2,500.
Militias need war to legitimise them. That is how the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and elsewhere in the region justify their existence. Iraq has seen plenty of war for 40 years, but the latest threat, from ISIS, has been seen off with American help, and the US will soon withdraw its troops. If there ever was a need for the militias – which is doubtful – it is no longer there. But despite all entreaties, the Iraqi militias refuse to go.
It’s time for Iraq’s militias to lay down arms Updated Jan 18, 2021 | 16:57 IST
If the Iraqi leadership acts wisely and harnesses the support of Al-Sistani, Baghdad can outmanoeuvre, out-fund and out-gun the militias. File image: Mustafa al-Kadhimi speaks to Parliament in Baghdad | Photo Credit: AP
Militias need war to legitimise them. That is how the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and elsewhere in the region justify their existence. Iraq has seen plenty of war for 40 years, but the latest threat, from ISIS, has been seen off with American help, and the US will soon withdraw its troops. If there ever was a need for the militias – which is doubtful – it is no longer there. But despite all entreaties, the Iraqi militias refuse to go.
everyone is suffering because of it, food prices are off the charts, high unemployment so that is why this is taking place and it would be fine if the iranian did more than just dominate and control. they do it at the expense of the people, they are not effective government, they are not providing effective services and they squandered the money the obama administration gave him, $30 million and did on foreign wars. people are holding them accountable for this and similar demonstrations in lebanon and the iraqi shias in iraq which is stunning, hundreds of thousands of people in iraq, demonstrating against iran because the influence in iraq and the government is not effective in not helping the people so it is a common theme and i believe this regime is beginning to show signs of coming apart as a result. what will they do? they will use force to clear the streets. we ve seen evidence of that. this demonstration will not
iran remains the islamic republic of iran. it remains the world s largest state sponsor of terror. every place along the way, with respect to the agreement, it has challenged that agreement, that is, it has stretched the understandings in that agreement. and today, we find it with enormous influence, influence that far outstripped where it was six or seven years ago, whether it s the influence they have of the government in baghdad, whether it s the increasing strength of he has bolla and lebanon, they work alongside the houthis in iran, the iraqi shias that are fighting alongside the border in syria, certainly the shia forces that are engaged in syria. iran is everywhere throughout the middle east. the last seven years have been a disaster, allowing the iranians to expand all across that important reebgion. in your opinion, what is the greater threat, the islamic extremists of the sunni variety headquartered in raqqah and around the world or of hezbollah and iran and the shia extrem