Al-Sudani Renewed Criticism of Militias... Al-Hakim on Neutralizing Iraq from Conflicts

Sadr Movement leader Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr blamed the continued existence of weapons outside state control for the killing of members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). At the same time, Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National State Forces Alliance, called for Iraq to remain neutral in regional conflicts.

In a post on the X platform, al-Sadr stated that “the actions of militias and the failure to confine weapons to the state’s hands have been and continue to cause the deaths of members of the PMF and security forces.” He added that “their senior figures enjoy security, comfort, and trade,” and called for an end to what he described as “individual and irrational behavior.”

In a related development, al-Hakim, in a statement issued by his media office, affirmed that Iraq “seeks to be a bridge for communication between countries, not a battleground for settling scores.” He also called for de-escalation in the region and for resolving differences through dialogue and mutual understanding.