Iran-Backed Militias: The Next Big Threat to National Security?

Several powerful Iranian- backed militia groups in Iraq are prepared to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of an escalating conflict with the U.S. Trump administration, 10 senior. Several powerful Iranian - backed militia groups in Iraq are prepared to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of escalating conflict with the US, according to senior commanders and Iraqi officials speaking to Reuters. But experts had different opinions about the threat that smaller, less organized proxy groups can still pose — especially for American troops who felt the ire of Iranian- backed militias after the U.S. Backed Israel in its war against Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks. Iran-backed militias have been scrambling to recover after the loss of their patriarchs Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Attempts to preserve a top-down, Iran -directed system of command have met resistance, both from independent-minded upstarts like Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and the fragmenting powerbases within Kata’ib Hezbollah. Several of the Iran-backed militia groups operating in Iraq are set to demilitarize for the first time to avoid conflict with the US following President Trump’s threats to Tehran’s proxies,. Iran enters 2025 with its large network of state and non-state allies – built up painstakingly over nearly half a century — severely damaged. Iran has and funded this network running from Lebanon to Yemen, Gaza to Iraq, not only to project power but also as a deterrent against its primary adversaries, the United States and Israel. There are approximately 40 militant groups backed by Iran in the region, Baraa Shiban, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a British defense and security think-tank,. The militias in Iraq could be pressured to reduce their role as part of an Iran deal with the United States. On the other hand, they could also demand institutionalization within Iraq’s military system via favorable legislation and an increase in member payments. Attacks by Iranian proxies against bases housing U.S. Military personnel in Iraq and Syria are increasing, U.S. Officials say, and Washington has not responded with force since 2021.