Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds
The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors.
Prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said on Friday that political parties with armed wings should not be allowed to participate in the next government, adding new pressure to the issue as Iraq navigates competing demands from the Trump administration and Iran-backed militias.
What happened: Sadr, who leads the National Shiite Movement, called on politicians to “completely exclude anyone with an armed wing from it [the cabinet], forming a government that meets the demands of the people.”
The cleric said the next government must “transform the armed factions” into entities under the control of the state, either by having them report to the Supreme Commission for Hajj and Umrah or an unspecified “humanitarian formation.” Sadr vowed to “hand over” the armed group he leads, Saraya al-Salam, to the prime minister.
“Whoever refuses will be considered an outlaw,” he said in reference to any group that rejected such a demand from the government.
