Iraqi factions allied with Iran kicked off on Monday a new phase in the country, characterized by the rampant proliferation of arms, after their outright rejection for calls to limit the possession of weapons in the hands of the state.
Several militia leaders openly rejected the call, which for years, has topped the list of political and popular demands.
This new phase began in wake of the elite counter-terrorism unit’s raid of the headquarters of the Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah militia on Friday and arrest of 14 of its members. They have since been released.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government has been strangely quiet about the release, leaving his supporters feeling deflated after initially hailing the operation, which they believed had kicked off a new chapter in cracking down on militias. The release dashed these hopes and has left the government in a weak position.
This sentiment was compounded with the images of the Kataib Hezbollah members flashing victory signs and trampling of Kadhimi posters upon their release, which was met with popular outrage. Observers pointed to the hypocrisy of the Kataib Hezbollah, which is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces that falls under the armed forces, which is commanded by Kadhimi, in his capacity of commander of the armed forces.
Many people expressed their frustration over the silence of official institutions over the insult of the armed forces commander and PM. Sources close to the government revealed that the release took place without its knowledge.
The detainees were freed after an arrangement was reached between militia leaders and some judicial authorities, they said.
The government was not spared criticism, as it was slammed for its vague position and silence over the release.
The Kataib Hezbollah, on the other hand, sought to exploit the whole incident in its favor. Its secretary general, whose identity was not disclosed, released a statement that openly defied the state’s calls for limiting the possession of arms in the country in its hands.
“The weapons of the Islamic resistance are the true source of legitimacy. We will not hand over our weapons until the appearance of our lord, Ibn al-Hassan, peace be upon him,” he said in reference to al-Mahdi, who according to Shiites will emerge at the end of days.
Observers believe that this new “unprecedented” stance puts an end to speculation over the possibility that the armed factions, operating under so-called “resistance”, would accept to lay down their weapons. This puts the government before the challenge of either removing these weapons by force or abandoning the move, as demanded by Qais Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group.
Leader of the al-Nujaba militia, Akram al-Kaabi also joined the chorus of opposition to the disarmament. “The heroes of sovereignty and resistance must turn away their ears from such dubious calls and instead greatly bolster their capabilities in preparation for the great battle.”
