Recent intelligence and regional assessments suggest that the Iranian regime is intensifying efforts to arm and maintain influence over Iraqi Shiite militias, particularly the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known locally as Hashd al-Shaabi. These groups, while nominally under the Iraqi government’s umbrella, continue to operate largely as Iranian proxies. Tehran’s strategy aims to prevent their full integration into the Iraqi national army, thereby keeping them under its own command structure.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force have reportedly been supplying advanced weaponry, training, and financial support to militias loyal to Tehran. This includes smuggling missiles, drones, and explosives into Iraq. The goal is twofold:
Undermine Iraqi sovereignty by ensuring that Hashd al-Shaabi remains more loyal to Iran than to Baghdad.
Prepare for external operations against regional adversaries, particularly Israel, by maintaining a network of armed groups beyond Iran’s borders.
Though formed initially to combat ISIS, Hashd al-Shaabi has transformed into a vehicle for Iran’s regional ambitions. Many of its leading factions are commanded by figures directly tied to the IRGC. Instead of laying down their arms and integrating into the Iraqi military structure, these militias resist disarmament, seeing themselves as part of Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance.”
This parallel chain of command undermines the central Iraqi army and creates dual power structures inside the country. It ensures that, in any confrontation, Iran can bypass state institutions and deploy proxy fighters at will.
Intelligence sources indicate that Iran is not merely preparing these groups for defensive purposes. The build-up of weapons in Iraq is seen as part of a broader plan to open additional fronts against Israel, complementing Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Gaza. By stationing weapons and trained forces in Iraq, Tehran seeks strategic depth, making it harder for Israel to contain its threats.
The Iranian regime’s actions highlight a deliberate policy of destabilization: arming militias, undermining state institutions, and preparing proxy forces for potential strikes against Israel. Instead of allowing Hashd al-Shaabi to integrate into the Iraqi army, Iran is ensuring that these groups remain outside Baghdad’s control. This makes them a permanent threat not only to Iraq’s sovereignty but also to regional peace.
