Washington, May 6: The United States has urged Iraq’s leadership to take “concrete action” against Iran-backed militias. A senior official from the U.S. State Department emphasized that amid increasing attacks on American bases in the region, Washington demands “action, not words.”
The official stated, “I believe Iraqi leaders, including the designated Prime Minister, understand what the United States wants. We need action, not words.”
These remarks come as the U.S. intensifies pressure on Iraq to limit the influence of armed militias. The U.S. considers these groups to be terrorist organizations, and American officials assert that they have deeply infiltrated Iraq’s state institutions.
The official noted, “At this time, the line between the Iraqi state and these militias has become very blurred.”
He added, “It could start with removing terrorist militias from any state institution, cutting off their support from the Iraqi budget, and halting payments to these fighters. These are the concrete steps that will assure us that there has been a change in thinking.”
These comments also highlight ongoing U.S. frustration regarding the role of militia groups active within Iraq, particularly following months of regional instability linked to broader tensions in the Middle East.
The senior official accused certain elements within the Iraqi system of providing political and financial protection to these militias. He stated, “Some elements of the Iraqi state have continued to provide political, financial, and operational support to these terrorist militias.”
He emphasized, “I do not underestimate the seriousness of this challenge or what it will take to separate these relationships. It could start with a clear and unambiguous policy statement that terrorist militias are not part of the Iraqi state.”
The official also stressed the severity of security threats faced by U.S. personnel during recent regional conflicts. He remarked, “During regional conflicts, we have faced over 600 attacks on American bases in Iraq.”
These comments indicate that this issue remains a central concern in U.S.-Iraq relations as Washington assesses how willing and capable Baghdad is in controlling Iran-linked armed groups.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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