A senior figure in Iraq's pro-Iranian militia Al-Nujaba Movement (known as HHN) has confirmed that Iran's proxies in the country have reached an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani to cease military operations targeting Israel in support of Gaza, the pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar reported on Monday. The agreement also includes maintaining silence regarding political developments in Syria, coming amid dialogue sparked by regional and international pressure to dismantle these factions and transfer their weapons to state control.
Speaking to Al-Akhbar, the figure revealed that "the factions have decided not to interfere in Syrian affairs and to monitor the situation from a distance while also awaiting the policy directions of US President-elect Donald Trump, particularly regarding the Middle East and Iran."
The source indicated that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has granted us the freedom to decide on the Syrian scene and the control of terrorist groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)." He criticized American and Israeli efforts promoting the dissolution of the Iraqi government's umbrella organization for militias, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), describing these attempts as aimed at forcing the surrender of the resistance axis that has effectively challenged Israel over the past year.
"The armed factions have adhered to the Iraqi government's directives, especially after developments in Syria, where there are concerns about a scenario worse than the fall of Bashar Assad's regime, potentially leading to the resurgence of terrorism in Iraq," the leader added.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani recently dismissed suggestions about disbanding the PMF, stating in a televised interview that "such claims are purely speculative and come from those who oppose the political process." This came after an Iraqi official had disclosed receiving multiple international and regional requests to dismantle the PMF and transfer weapons to state control.
Kazem Al-Fartousi, spokesperson for the Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, another pro-Iranian militia, told Al-Akhbar, "Circumstances determine the positions of the factions. The principle of unity across fronts is not tied to a temporary alliance among resistance axis factions but is a matter of doctrine and conviction. Regardless of the losses, Iraqi factions have never abandoned this principle."
Al-Fartousi explained that "the operations of the factions against Israel were linked to Hezbollah's operations in Lebanon. When a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon, the Iraqi factions also halted their operations. There are also partners in Iraq with reservations about these operations, and their perspectives must be considered." He added, "The situation is currently under review, and communication is ongoing among the resistance axis to coordinate positions and develop a unified vision."
