Iran Iraq Iraqi Militias

FILE - Women members of the Basij paramilitary, affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, march with their weapons during a state-organized rally in support of the supreme leader marking National Girl's Day, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 17, 2026.

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Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq

Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq

Iran has granted its commanders more autonomy over militias in Iraq, allowing some to act without Tehran’s approval. Three militia members and two other officials described the shift to The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity to speak freely about sensitive matters. It comes amid the pressures of the Iran war. Many Iran-backed militias are funded through Iraq's state budget and embedded within Iraq's security apparatus. The conflict in the Middle East has exposed the fragility of Iraq’s institutions. Baghdad has struggled to control the militias. Officials and experts say that even if a fragile ceasefire deal holds, the U.S. is expected to intensify efforts against them. A decentralized structure allows factions to operate independently, complicating efforts to rein them in.