# US Demands Iraq Disarm Brigades, Misreads Security Landscape

> US pushes Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed groups, but sees state monopoly on arms as impossible.
- Title: US Demands Iraq Disarm Brigades, Misreads Security Landscape
- Summary: US pushes Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed groups, but sees state monopoly on arms as impossible.
- Keywords: iraq, popular mobilization forces, pmf, iraq security, iranian-backed groups, state monopoly on arms, iraq disarmament, iraq government, iraq prime minister, iraq sovereignty, iraq military, iraq security landscape
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/us-demands-that-iraq-disarms-brigades-misread-the-nations-complicated-security-landscape-293491
- Author: Yasir Kuoti
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iraq, popular mobilization forces, pmf, iraq security, iranian-backed groups, state monopoly on arms, iraq disarmament, iraq government, iraq prime minister, iraq sovereignty, iraq military, iraq security landscape
## Sovereignty Day
Iraq marked Sovereignty Day on Sept 30, 2026, with a four-day national holiday celebrating U.S-led forces' departure.
## US Withdrawal Timeline
American troops, the largest contingent, had been stationed since 2014 as part of an 87-member coalition providing military and intelligence assistance.
## State Monopoly Deadline
The deadline for Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed armed groups was pushed back from its target date to June 2027.
## US Pressure on Iraq
President Donald Trump reportedly warned Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of financial penalties or direct strikes if disarmament did not happen by early November 2026.
## State Monopoly Disagreement
Iraqi government wants to bring Iranian-aligned armed groups into the state-sponsored Popular Mobilization Forces, while US wants demilitarization of all armed groups.
## PMF Structure
The Popular Mobilization Forces, formed in response to Islamic State, consists of 60-70 brigades mainly Shiite Muslim groups with some Sunni and other ethnic groups.
## Resistance Groups
Resistance groups like Hezbollah Brigades and al-Nujaba Movement trace their lineage to the Mahdi Army formed with Iran's assistance during the 2003 US invasion.
## US Concerns
Since February 2026, Iraqi-based resistance factions have launched hundreds of rocket strikes against US forces in Iraq and attacked infrastructure in Arab Gulf states and Israel.
## Disarmament Progress
By Oct 6, 2026, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had convinced three out of five main resistance factions to surrender weapons to the state.
## State Definition Conflict
US sees state as centralized rulemaking, while Iraq views state as communalized with armed groups operating within legal framework.
## Key takeaway

US demands Iraq disarm Iranian-aligned armed groups but misreads the nation's complex security structure, delaying a state monopoly on arms until June 2027.