The Editor's Briefing | The National

This week proved once more the need to rein in armed groups and ensure accountability for those spreading chaos and violence in Arab countries.

Wednesday witnessed the first declared Saudi-US air strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, a new development in the multipronged war in the Middle East. The Saudi-US attack was in retaliation for strikes on Saudi Arabia from its northern neighbour. While Riyadh says militias attacked it from Iraq, Baghdad at first denied that happening, and then issued a statement asking all sides not to use its territory “to settle scores”. Reports of Houthi militants from Yemen meeting in Iraq and co-ordinating the strikes and the death of several IRGC officers when Iraqi militia buildings were struck indicate that Iraq is indeed being used by Tehran to “settle scores”.

Less than three months since assuming office, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi finds himself facing a similar challenge as his predecessors – trying to cope with competing US and Iranian interests at the expense of his country. While Mr Al Zaidi has made big promises, like disarming militias and securing Iraq's sovereignty, the reality is that he is a product of the very system that allows militias to act freely. Some are part of the Co-ordination Framework, the parliamentary bloc that brought him to power. That does not mean he will not challenge them, but it remains to be seen if he can. I am not holding my breath as these armed groups have become so entrenched in Iraq.

And just like in Iraq, authorities in Syria are also challenged by armed groups and elements that are affiliated with the state but work outside its laws. This week, our Istanbul correspondent Lizzie Porter, who has reported extensively from Syria in the past, published an important story about a man seeking justice for his father, who was killed after a short period of detention. And while the details of Ahmed Farhat's killing are still murky, what is clear is that in post-conflict countries with weakened law enforcement, lives are often lost with little recourse. This story reflects the difficulties of ensuring civilians are protected.

The protection of civilians is needed in Gaza more than any other place in the world. Overnight, US President Donald Trump announced that a deal had been reached to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. This should mean the start of the much-needed process of getting aid into Gaza, allowing Palestinians to run the enclave and hopefully kick-starting the longer-term rebuilding. There are ample reasons to be suspicious of the ultimate prospects of such a deal coming through but we must all root for an agreement that reins in extremists and armed groups and protects civilians.