Iraq delays deadline for Iran-backed Shiite militias to hand over weapons
BAGHDAD — A senior Iraqi official on Sunday pushed back a September 30 deadline for pro-Iran armed factions to hand over their weapons, without offering an explanation for the move or providing a new date.
Iraq has come under pressure from the United States to rein in armed factions, particularly those close to Iran.
The US and Iran have been at war since February 28, drawing in other countries in the region as well as non-state groups backed by the Islamic Republic, many of whom are located in Iraq and draw support from the country’s Shiite majority.
For several months, Iraq’s government has stood by its deadline, but on Sunday, the security adviser to the prime minister, Qasim al-Araji, told state media the process would only begin at the end of next month.
“September 30 is the date for the international coalition to depart, not the deadline to hand over weapons,” Araji told the Al Iraqiya broadcaster, referring to the coalition of US-led forces.
Government spokesman Haidar al-Aboudi had made a similar announcement to local media on Friday, despite announcing in June that factions had until the end of September to disarm.
September 30, he said, was “the date for........
