Iraqi PM warns four armed groups of arrest if they attack US or neighboring states

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaydani has warned leaders of four armed groups that arrest warrants will be issued against them if they carry out attacks on American interests or neighboring countries, according to France-based Radio Monte Carlo. The warning comes as military tensions between Iran and the United States continue. Zaydani has pursued a two-track effort to contain the crisis, holding separate meetings with the Shiite Coordination Framework forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces administration, and with the National Security Advisory, intelligence, national security and counterterrorism agencies, the report said. The four groups named are Hezbollah, the Najbah Movement, the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades and Awliya' Allah al-Afwiyah. According to information attributed to the Ammar al-Hakim Coalition, Zeydani sent stern messages to their leaders, telling them that any involvement in the military escalation would result in legal arrest orders. The prime minister has also contacted Tehran directly, seeking Iranian officials' support to keep weapons under state control and to keep the groups out of any potential Iran-US escalation, the report said. The groups responded to the Iraqi authorities pledging support for Iran, according to the same account.