By Timor Azhari
Iraq is trying to convince the country's most powerful armed groups that have fought US forces and fired missiles and drones into Israel to lay down their weapons or join the legitimate security forces, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.
The push comes against the backdrop of seismic changes in the Middle East that have seen Iran's armed allies in Gaza and Lebanon severely weakened and the Syrian government overthrown by rebels.
The incoming Trump administration promises to put more pressure on Tehran, which has long supported political parties and a range of armed groups in Iraq.
Some officials in Baghdad are concerned that the situation could be escalated next, but Hussein downplayed this in an interview with Reuters during an official visit to London.
“We don't think Iraq is next,” Hussein said.
The government was in talks to strengthen the bloc while continuing to walk a tightrope between its relations with Washington and Tehran, he said.
“Two or three years ago it was impossible to discuss this topic in our society,” he said.
But now, having armed groups working outside the government is unacceptable.
“Many political leaders, many political parties began to raise the debate, and I hope we can convince the leaders of these parties to lay down their weapons, and then become part of the armed forces under the responsibility of the government,” Hussein. he said.
Iraq's balancing act has been tested by attacks by Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups on Israel and US forces in the country that allied with the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.
The cease fire in Gaza has been promised by the government so that the government can breathe a sigh of relief, although uncertainty over how the country will fare after Donald Trump is the US president.
During the last term of Trump's presidency, relations became difficult as he ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020, which led to an Iranian missile attack on an Iraqi base occupied by US forces.
We hope we can continue good relations with Washington,” said Hussein. “It is too early to say what policy President Trump will pursue in Iraq or Iran.”
With Iraq trying to make a diplomatic third way, Hussein said that Baghdad is ready to help diffuse the conflict between Washington and Tehran if it is asked and he noted the previous mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran that opened the way to adjust their relations in 2023.
SYRIA
The armed revolution in neighboring Syria is viewed with concern.
The Islamist rebels who now rule in Damascus were among the Sunni Islamist militias that entered Shia-majority Iraq from Syria after the US-led invasion in 2003, perpetuating years of sectarian warfare.
The Islamic State followed suit a decade later and carried out massacres before being defeated by a US-led international coalition and Iraqi security forces and Iran-aligned groups.
Iraq will only be assured of Syria when it sees an inclusive political process, Hussein said, adding that Baghdad will supply the country with grain and oil once it is assured that it will go to all Syrians.
Baghdad was negotiating with the Syrian foreign minister on a visit to Iraq, he said.
“We are worried about ISIS, so we are in contact with the Syrian side to talk about these things, but in the end having a stable Syria means having a representative of all sectors in the political system.”
Baghdad and Washington last year agreed to end the US-led coalition in September 2026 and transition to a bilateral military relationship, but Hussein said developments in Syria would need to be monitored.
“First of all, we are thinking about the security of Iraq and stability in Iraq. If there will be a threat to our country, it will definitely be a different story,” he said.
“But until now, we don't see a threat.”