Several prominent armed groups in Iraq have publicly supported the state’s monopoly on the use of force, signaling a possible shift in their stance towards disarmament and political integration following recent election results. Leaders from groups like Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali have echoed the need for cooperation with the state, contrasting with dissenting factions such as Kataib Hezbollah, which reject disarmament until foreign forces leave Iraq. This division raises questions about whether it reflects a genuine split or a tactical maneuver amid U.S. pressure and waning Iranian influence. The militias’ electoral success could foster their integration into the state, yet concerns about external threats persist, complicating the path forward.
