Iran Decentralizes Iraq Militia Control

Iran has granted its commanders greater autonomy over militias in Iraq, allowing some groups, such as Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, to carry out operations without Tehran's direct approval. This shift is driven by the pressures of an ongoing war, which began with United States and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The move has exposed the fragility of Iraq's state institutions, as many of these Iran-backed militias are funded through the Iraq state budget and embedded within its security apparatus, creating a paradox for Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government. The United States has criticized Iraq for its inability to control these groups and has responded by imposing sanctions on seven commanders of hard-line Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups and conducting strikes that killed mid-level commanders and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps advisers. Experts like Michael Knights anticipate intensified United States efforts against these groups, which could further destabilize the region and pressure the Iraq government.