ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States has welcomed "reported steps" by Iraqi armed factions toward disarmament, but stressed that declarations of intent alone are insufficient, as controversy grows over the Iraqi judiciary’s engagement with Iran-backed militias.
Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, described the reported move as “a welcome and encouraging development,” saying it “represents a positive response to the longstanding calls and aspirations of the Marjaeya and our respected religious authorities.”
His remarks come amid criticism of comments by Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). In a statement on Saturday, SJC President Faiq Zidan thanked “the brothers, the leaders of the [armed] factions” for responding to his advice on “cooperating to enforce the rule of law, confining weapons to the hands of the state, and transitioning to political action after the national need for military action has ceased.”
Savaya, however, emphasized that any such process must go further.
“Statements of intent alone are not sufficient,” the newly appointed envoy to Baghdad said. “Disarmament must be comprehensive, irreversible, and implemented through a clear and binding national framework.”
He added that the process must include “the full dismantling of all armed factions and ensure an orderly, lawful transition of their members into civilian life.”
The US envoy also underscored the constitutional principle that no group or individual may maintain armed forces outside state authority.
“In accordance with the Iraqi Constitution and the rule of law, no political party, organization, or individual has the right to possess or operate armed formations outside the authority of the state,” Savaya said, stressing that “this principle applies uniformly across all parts of Iraq, without exception.”
Washington has intensified pressure on Baghdad to curb Iranian influence and reduce the role of Iran-backed armed groups. The United States is reportedly urging Iraq to dissolve all armed factions, including those integrated into state structures such as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
A draft of the latest US National Defense Authorization Act links continued US financial assistance to Iraq to tangible reductions in the capabilities of Iran-aligned militias. The legislation also bans any US assistance to the pro-Iran Badr Organization, led by Hadi al-Ameri, which secured 18 seats in the most recent parliamentary elections.
As part of President Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, the United States has designated several Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
Iran is believed to operate through multiple proxy groups in Iraq, which it has previously used to target US interests. Washington has taken additional steps to limit Tehran’s influence, including rescinding in March a waiver that had allowed Iraq to import electricity from Iran.
US Congressman Joe Wilson strongly criticized Zidan’s remarks, describing them as undermining judicial neutrality.
“The corrupt president of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council” thanking armed factions for their intention to disarm “does not reflect the conduct of a state institution nor that of a neutral judiciary,” Wilson said in a post on X on Sunday.
“Instead, it clearly shows a communication channel and an ongoing relationship between the judiciary leadership and militia factions,” he added. “An independent judiciary does not thank armed groups for following its advice nor assess their political or military actions. Such conduct is completely outside its constitutional role.”
Meanwhile, Iran-backed factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, have resisted disarmament initiatives, linking any discussions to the withdrawal of foreign forces and security guarantees.
“Resistance is a right, and its weapons remain in the hands of its fighters… any understanding with the government will only take place after the withdrawal of all occupation forces, NATO, and the Turkish army,” Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement.
Kataib Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, which has repeatedly urged Baghdad to dismantle all armed factions and curb Iranian influence, including within state-integrated militias.