US War Secretary Calls for Militia Disarmament, Greater Peshmerga Role

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Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War of the US.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that Iraq must “assert its sovereignty” by disarming militias if it wishes to deepen its partnership with the United States.

The remarks came after Hegseth hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the Pentagon during the Prime Minister’s official visit to Washington.

In a post on X, Hegseth said Iraq should disarm “ militias responsible for 600+ attacks on U.S. personnel this spring.”

He also said the United States expects the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga and other Kurdistan Region security forces, to take a leading role in counter-ISIS operations as the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) military mission winds down.

Hegseth added that “a secure Iraq opens the door to strong commercial and defense cooperation.”


PUKMEDIA