US President Donald Trump's Envoy for Iraq, Mark Savaya, listed militia groups, uncontrolled weapons and foreign interference among things Washington planned to end in the country this year.
In a New Year's message to the Iraqi people, Mr Savaya said the US was “working to make 2026 the year that marks the end of” 18 items.
“This message is directed to those who have spread corruption throughout the land of Iraq. Your time is over,” he said.
Washington has increased pressure on Baghdad to rein in Tehran's influence and to bring weapons and non-state actors under state control. Since Mr Savaya was appointed to the role in October, he has issued strong statements directed at armed factions in Iraq.
Iran-backed groups in the country have criticised the disarmament calls, stating their right to resistance remains as long as foreign forces remain in the country.
But there was confusion last month after comments by Faiq Zidan, head of Iraq’s judiciary, who thanked armed groups for responding to his advice on “co-operating to enforce the rule of law, confining weapons to the hands of the state, and transitioning to political action”. Mr Zidan did not say which militias he was referring to.
Iraq's Interior Ministry on Wednesday announced a plan to remove unlicensed weapons across the country this year.
The US envoy’s intervention comes at a time of intense pressure from Washington on the Iraqi government to curb the influence of militant groups close to Tehran, an effort that mirrors a broader regional push that includes groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The domestic political context has further complicated the issue. Recent elections strengthened pro-Iran blocs within the Popular Mobilisation Forces, giving them significant parliamentary influence and the ability to block legislation related to disarmament.
The PMF is an umbrella body of mostly Shiite militias, many of them backed by Iran, that was formally incorporated into the Iraqi state. It also includes factions that are not aligned with Tehran and instead take guidance from religious authorities or holy shrines.
Iraq sits uncomfortably between two rival powers. The US wants to curtail militia influence to limit Iran’s reach, while Tehran views those same groups as a strategic buffer against pressure from Washington and Israel. Baghdad, meanwhile, maintains close ties with both sides, hosting US troops at military bases while sustaining deep security and trade links with Iran.
US troops continue to present their presence as part of a mission to fight ISIS, Iraqi political sources say, framing troop movements as operational adjustments.
On Wednesday, the deputy commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command said the US-led global coalition against ISIS would be handing over the Ain Al Asad airbase next week.
“This work was agreed upon three months ago and has now been concluded at the Joint Operations Command,” Lt Gen Qais Al Muhammadawi said. “There are no coalition personnel remaining at Ain Al Asad base, and next week will witness a complete withdrawal and the handover of the base to Iraqi forces. A timetable is being set to complete all these matters,” he added.
