The Baghdad-Mosul Route and Hashd Groups: An Observational Trip

Report with Photos

In Iraq, there has been much talk in recent months about armed factions disarming and confining arms in the hands of proper state institutions and forces, partly as a result of greater American pressure on Iraq’s government to crack down on Iranian influence.

In a recent interview with al-Jazeera, government spokesman Haydar al-Aboudi tied the calls to disarmament with the withdrawal of the international coalition against the Islamic State that is set to be completed by 30 September, asserting that the ‘reasons for bearing arms that were required by the circumstances of 2014’ are no longer applicable to today (this issue will be discussed further below). When asked which factions have actually handed over their weapons until now, al-Aboudi asserted that Saraya al-Salam (Muqtada al-Sadr’s group deployed in the Samarra area), Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq have some other unspecified groups have done so. Further, in response to a question about those who refuse to hand over weapons, al-Aboudi asserted: ‘All understand this responsibility.’

But the reality is more complex than al-Aboudi would suggest.