Iraq has completed its cabinet line-up by appointing a senior leader of a US-blacklisted group as one of its deputy prime ministers, after securing Washington’s approval in a move aimed at advancing efforts to disarm Iran-backed factions.
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi announced the appointment of Laith Al-Khazali, a senior figure in Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, on Thursday night, completing the formation of his government.
A diplomatic source told AFP on Friday that Al-Zaidi had secured tacit US approval during his September visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly, where he met President Donald Trump.
The United States agreed to the participation of some pro-Iran factions in the government after Al-Zaidi promised to pursue his disarmament plans and gave assurances that the groups would not attack US interests in Iraq, the source said.
Washington, which wields significant influence in Iraq, wants to help Al-Zaidi advance his plans, the source added.
Militia group gains political influence
Washington has designated Laith Al-Khazali and his brother Qais, the leader of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, as global terrorists. The United States regards them as violent proxies of Iran.
Despite the designation, their group has become a major political force, winning 27 seats in the latest parliamentary elections.
Asaib Ahl Al-Haq was among the first factions to support Al-Zaidi’s plan to bring all weapons under state control. The group says it has begun handing over its weapons and has not been publicly linked to recent attacks on US interests.
A second diplomatic source confirmed that Washington had given Al-Zaidi the green light to complete his government with the participation of some factions.
Another Iran-backed group, Kataeb Sayyid Al-Shuhada, secured the tourism ministry. The group is part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has recently claimed hundreds of attacks on US interests.
US pressure over disarmament
Washington accuses the Khazali brothers, both former US detainees, of attacks on American forces following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. These included a 2007 attack that resulted in the capture and killing of five US soldiers.
The United States has previously turned a blind eye to the participation of some blacklisted factions in Iraqi governments.
This time, however, the shift followed months of mounting pressure on Al-Zaidi to disarm Iran-backed groups, which have long targeted US interests in Iraq and intensified their attacks during the Middle East war in support of Tehran.
“Things changed,” the first diplomatic source said, adding that Washington had already demonstrated its willingness to change tactics in Syria by supporting President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who was previously designated a terrorist.
Al-Zaidi took office earlier this year with US backing. He initially set September 30, the date marking the end of the US-led coalition mission in Iraq, as the deadline for factions to hand over their weapons.
He later withdrew the deadline as negotiations continued and set a new one for June 30.
Al-Zaidi announced part of his cabinet in May, but the remaining portfolios were delayed by negotiations among political parties, including demands from some factions for representation in the government.
