US Defense Secretary urges Iraq to disarm militias after hundreds of attacks on US forces

BAGHDAD, Iraq — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Iraqi government to disarm the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other militia groups, holding them responsible for roughly 600 recent attacks on US forces. Hegseth warned that US troops would exercise their right to self-defense if Iraqi authorities fail to act. Iraq has so far maintained its official position on the presence of foreign forces in the country, without signaling a change in response to the US demand. The US is pressing Iraqi officials for concrete steps to protect personnel at the US Embassy in Baghdad and at joint bases. The call comes as Washington and Baghdad continue security cooperation talks under visible strain. The PMF has reiterated its longstanding demand for US troops to leave Iraq, arguing that the American military presence in the country should come to an end.