policy
Significant political developments have taken place in Iraq with the appointment of Laith Al-Khazali as Deputy Prime Minister, a decision following intense negotiations regarding the disarmament of armed factions. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi sought to change the American stance on this appointment, believing that granting the position to a figure whose movement agreed to disarm could encourage other factions to take similar steps. In this context, a well-informed source in Washington close to the Iraqi government revealed that Al-Zaidi sent messages through the special envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrett, indicating that opposing Al-Khazali's appointment might weaken his ability to persuade other factions to disarm. The source added that Al-Zaidi told American officials the necessity of rewarding those who lay down arms to attract as many factions as possible, a message that was conveyed and subsequently led to approval of the appointment. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Washington expects Al-Zaidi to fulfill his commitments related to counterterrorism and preventing attacks within or from Iraq, as well as building a partnership serving both countries' interests. Laith Al-Khazali, brother of Qais Al-Khazali, Secretary-General of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq—classified by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization—was arrested in 2007 following an attack targeting U.S. forces in Karbala that killed five soldiers, before being released in 2009. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on him in 2019 due to his leadership role in Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and allegations of human rights violations. Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq was among the first factions to announce several months ago the beginning of disarming to the state and has not been linked recently to attacks on U.S. interests, unlike other factions within the so-called "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" that carried out attacks in Iraq and the region. Al-Zaidi announced on Thursday the completion of his government, which began its duties five months ago, after parliament approved the appointment of 11 ministers and three deputy prime ministers, including Al-Khazali. A political source within the Coordination Framework indicated that Al-Zaidi promised Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq the deputy prime minister position in exchange for their agreement to participate in efforts to centralize arms under state control. The source noted initial U.S. objections to the appointment, placing Al-Zaidi in a difficult position as the movement tied its approval to obtaining the post. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Tom Barrett described Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq's and another faction's announcement of beginning to hand over their weapons to the state as an important step forward toward restoring sovereignty and consolidating stability. Security and foreign policy professor Muhannad Al-Janabi stated that appointing Al-Khazali can be seen as an attempt to reassure Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and its political bloc, Sadqoon Movement, amid ongoing debate over disarmament. He noted that the deputy prime minister role does not grant independent executive powers but may enhance the movement's influence in decision-making and government leadership. It is worth noting that the U.S. chargé d'affaires in Baghdad had conveyed the Trump administration's stance rejecting the participation of armed factions in the government at this stage, even if they declare disarmament, viewing disarmament not as a formal or political declaration but requiring a trial and monitoring period to verify dismantling of military and economic structures and ending organizational and ideological ties granting autonomy from state institutions. Al-Zaidi informed the U.S. side of his desire to give the negotiation track with armed factions a genuine chance, fearing that any sudden escalation could lead to a broad security crisis affecting internal stability and the Iraqi economy.
