Iraq's disarmament test in Baghdad ends with forces withdrawing from Hezbollah headquarters

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi government forces launched a search operation on July 24 at a headquarters of the Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba special-mission brigade in the Jurf al-Nadhal area of Baghdad, looking for drones and missiles. Militants affiliated with the group fired warning shots at military vehicles as forces from the Baghdad Operations Command, Federal Police and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Security Directorate attempted to enter the facility. After commanders of the movement intervened, the forces withdrew without entering. The operation, the first practical test of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi's pledge to bring all weapons under state control by September 30, exposed what Al-Monitor described as a deep gap between Baghdad's stated commitments and its ability to implement them on the ground, citing security sources. The PMF command told its units it had not been informed of the operation, and army units received orders to pull back. No casualties were reported. Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Program researcher Haydar al-Shakiri said Baghdad now favors restructuring the security sector and indirect pressure over open confrontation. Political analyst Munnind al-Ghazi noted that some factions view their weapons as ideologically tied and consider surrender nearly impossible. Groups including Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba have refused to place their arms fully under state supervision, while Asaib Ahl al-Haq has become more engaged in political and economic activity, according to the report. The developments followed a Saudi Defense Ministry statement attributing drone attacks on oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh area to Iran-backed groups launching from Iraqi territory, and U.S.-Saudi airstrikes in eastern Iraq that killed at least 20 people. Al-Zaydi's planned visit to Saudi Arabia was postponed in the aftermath. The report concluded that the September 30 target does not appear realistic and that a genuine disarmament requiring the dismantling of weapons depots, production facilities and financing networks could trigger a difficult internal conflict.