BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., to seek American investment and support as his government faces a September deadline to disarm Iranian-backed militias and consolidate state control over weapons across the country.
“Al-Zaidi has made state monopoly over weapons the centerpiece of his program. Backed by unusually strong public support from Trump shortly after winning parliamentary confidence, he has stressed that ending the influence of the factions is essential to reshaping Iraq’s economy and attracting foreign investment,” the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported. The September target is expected to coincide with the end of the U.S. anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq, according to The National in the United Arab Emirates.
Iraqi government spokesperson Haider al Aboudi said “Al-Zaidi is continuing efforts to ensure that weapons are exclusively in the hands of the state within a specified timeframe, describing the issue as one of the government’s major priorities.” Little concrete progress has been made since several militias announced they would disarm in early June. Iraq’s Ministry of Defense has proceeded with collecting arms in the city of Samarra, though that effort appeared directed at individuals rather than militia organizations, the UAE’s Al-Ain News reported.
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi publicly backed the planned Washington visit, calling on Iraq to strengthen ties with the United States. Iraqi President Nizar Amidi hosted a meeting with Zaidi, Speaker of Parliament Haibet al Halbousi, and President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan to discuss restricting weapons to state control.
The visit comes against a volatile regional backdrop. Two drones struck a grain warehouse in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government; the perpetrators were not identified, though Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have previously used drones to attack the Kurdistan region and U.S. diplomatic facilities. Iraq was forced to close its airspace due to the broader Iran conflict, and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning Americans to leave the country.
“Due to recent regional developments, U.S. citizens in Iraq are advised to maintain the highest levels of vigilance and awareness and to continuously monitor local news sources. Disruptions to travel or sudden airspace closures may occur without prior notice,” the embassy said. The warning continues a posture in place since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28.
Zaidi, appointed in May, faces a narrow window to demonstrate results on militia disarmament before the September deadline and the conclusion of the U.S. anti-Islamic State mission. No date has been announced for the Washington visit.