Iraq Sets 2027 Disarmament Deadline

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi extended the deadline for disarming armed factions to June 30, 2027. In an interview with Iraqi state media, he stated that no weapons would remain outside the framework of the state by that date. The move follows the formal end of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition's military mission in Iraq on September 30. Zaidi said Iraq would soon be a state free of factions, with weapons held exclusively by Iraqi security forces.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for Iran-backed militias, accused the United States of violating Iraqi airspace. The group claimed to have documented 171 violations by US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft between September 30 and Friday. The allegations were not independently verified. The militias also criticized Baghdad for appeasing Washington, citing the reduction of commercial flights and the closure of border crossings with Iran.

Disagreement persists among the armed groups regarding the new government plan. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to disarmament. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada expressed willingness to cooperate with government measures. The IRI continues to support Iran amid speculation about a new regional war.

The US State Department issued an updated travel advisory on Saturday, warning of increasing regional threats. The advisory maintained a warning against all travel to Iraq, citing the threat of increased attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. It noted that Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, could lead to wider escalation. The department stated that hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area.

The advisory specifically identified threats from armed groups inside Iraq. It stated that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests. Potential targets include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities. The State Department warned that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.

Regional tensions extended beyond Iraq on Saturday. US National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton sent a memorandum to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning of advanced Iranian plots to assassinate American diplomats. The report cited increased Iranian efforts across the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a gathering center of the Kurdistan Free Life Party in Iran. Clashes between the IRGC and the party's armed wing intensified over the previous week, with Iran using drones and artillery in mountainous areas.

The US Embassy in Iraq published the advisory update against the backdrop of these developments. The State Department noted that militias threaten American citizens and international companies through drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices. The warning highlights the security challenges facing Baghdad as it seeks to consolidate control over armed factions while Washington continues to view Iran-aligned groups as a primary threat.