Iraq PM Says Disarmament of Armed Factions Possible Only After U.S. Withdrawal

Iraq has pledged to bring all weapons under state control, but Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Monday that this cannot be achieved as long as the U.S.-led coalition remains in the country — a presence some Iraqi factions view as an occupying force.

Sudani said the plan to fully withdraw the multinational coalition fighting the Islamic State from Iraq by September 2026 remains in place, noting that the threat from extremist groups has greatly diminished. Iraq, one of Iran’s closest Arab allies, has been pushing for greater sovereignty over its security affairs.

“There is no ISIS,” Sudani said in an interview with Reuters in Baghdad. “Security and stability? Thankfully, we have both… So give me one justification for the presence of 86 countries,” he added, referring to the number of states that joined the coalition when it was formed in 2014.

He said there will eventually be “a clear program to eliminate all weapons outside state institutions,” describing it as “a demand shared by everyone.” He added that armed factions could either integrate into official security forces or lay down their arms and enter politics.

“No Side Can Drag Iraq Into War,” Says Sudani

Sudani’s comments come as Iraq faces U.S. pressure to disband Iran-backed militias — a politically sensitive issue in Baghdad. Washington has urged the prime minister to rein in armed groups affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of mostly Shi’ite factions formally incorporated into Iraq’s security apparatus but still heavily influenced by Tehran.

Both Iraq and the United States have agreed on a phased withdrawal of American troops, with the process expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by the end of 2026.

When asked about growing international pressure on non-state armed groups in the region — such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, part of Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance” against U.S. and Israeli influence — Sudani said, “God willing, there is still time. The situation here is different from Lebanon.”

“Iraq’s position on maintaining security and stability is clear,” he continued. “Decisions on war and peace rest solely with state institutions, and no side can drag Iraq into conflict.”

Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that ousted Saddam Hussein, Shi’ite power Iran has gained significant influence in Iraq, where heavily armed Iran-aligned militias wield both political and military clout. Iraqi governments have struggled to balance ties between their two adversarial partners — Iran and the United States. While Washington maintains sanctions on Tehran, Baghdad continues to trade with it.

For Iraq — burdened by years of sectarian bloodshed and economic challenges — attracting major U.S. investment has become a key priority.

Surge in U.S. Investment

“American companies are clearly and substantially increasing their presence in Iraq,” Sudani said, noting that Baghdad recently signed its largest-ever power deal with General Electric for 24,000 megawatts of electricity — equal to Iraq’s current total generation capacity.

In August, Iraq reached a preliminary agreement with Chevron to develop four exploration blocks and other oil fields in southern Iraq’s Nasiriyah region. Sudani said a separate deal with U.S. LNG firm Excelerate has helped Iraq mitigate power shortages.

He also praised a recent initial agreement with ExxonMobil, calling it “the first time Iraq has partnered with a global company to develop an oil field and its export system.”

American and European firms, he added, have expressed interest in building a permanent gas import-export platform at the Grand Faw Port, which would be the first of its kind in Iraq.

The government, Sudani said, has set a 2027 deadline to halt all gas flaring, achieve self-sufficiency in gas production, and end gas imports from Iran.

“We burn $4–5 billion worth of gas every year and import another $4 billion worth,” he said. “These are the results of flawed policies — and our government is determined to fix them.”

Sudani Eyes Re-Election

Ahead of Iraq’s November 11 elections, Sudani is running against established political parties within his ruling coalition but remains confident of victory. “We expect a major win,” he said, adding that he seeks a second term “to continue on the same path.”

He expressed optimism that voter turnout would exceed the roughly 40% seen in last year’s parliamentary elections, even if it remains below the nearly 80% participation two decades ago.

The “Builder” Image

Sudani has cultivated an image as Iraq’s chief builder, with campaign posters prominently displayed across Baghdad’s major construction sites, including a new dual carriageway along the Tigris River.

He said his administration inherited 2,582 unfinished projects from previous governments but completed many at a fraction of their original cost.

Many Iraqis welcome the visible progress in roads, bridges, and public buildings, which has eased traffic congestion in parts of the capital — though it has come at a price.

Sudani’s three-year budget, exceeding $150 billion annually, is the largest in Iraq’s history. He has added nearly one million employees to an already bloated public sector — a move that, while straining finances, has helped maintain social stability.

“I’m not worried about Iraq’s financial or economic situation,” he said. “Iraq is a wealthy nation with vast resources — but I am concerned about delays in implementing reforms.”