Tehran-aligned militias threaten the Iraqi Prime Minister

Baghdad – Agencies: The Kata’ib Hezbollah militia threatened Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, while the government affirmed its determination to proceed with a plan to disarm armed groups close to Iran. See page 12. Abu Majid al-Asaf, a security official in the militia, said in a statement that our patience is beginning to run out toward the provocative and irresponsible actions of the young al-Zaidi, according to him, and added that we may begin to act on the principle of “an eye for an eye.” The group listed demands from what it described as factions committed to retaining their weapons, including the complete withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq, Turkish forces from the north, and the dissolution of the Peshmerga forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Regional Government. Al-Zaidi gave the factions until September 30 to relinquish their weapons. Two Iraqi political sources told the Agence France-Presse that the prime minister informed political leaders of his readiness for confrontation and clash if the armed militia insists on refusing cooperation after the deadline expires. The threats from the militia’s most Iran-loyal faction preceded a visit today by Iranian Assembly of Experts Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to Iraq. The Fars News Agency reported that Qalibaf will lead a high-level parliamentary delegation to discuss regional developments, enhance strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad, and explore joint solutions to contribute to stability and security in the Middle East, according to the agency.