Iraq caught in US-Iran crossfire as Baghdad pushes to disarm powerful militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is facing growing pressure to disarm the Iran-backed Shi’ite militias, with several groups resisting efforts to hand their weapons to the state. The standoff is creating a difficult security and political challenge for the Iraqi government as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to shape the region.According to Reuters, Zaidi pledged after meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House in July to disarm the powerful militia groups by September 30. The date also coincides with the planned withdrawal of the remaining US-led international coalition forces from Iraq.Reuters reported that five armed groups have rejected the September 30 deadline, while the most powerful faction, Kataib Hezbollah, has demanded guarantees that US forces will not return and that American political and economic influence in Iraq will end.The issue puts Zaidi in a difficult position.