The United States has imposed a firm veto on the participation of three armed factions in Iraq’s future government, even if they agree to disarm, according to a political source cited by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed on June 1.

The groups in question include Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, all accused of carrying out attacks on US interests in the region. These militias, close to Tehran, are part of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (Hachd al-Shaabi), a coalition of roughly fifty armed groups that are partially integrated into Iraq’s state security apparatus.

The appointment of Tom Barrack on May 31 as Donald Trump’s special envoy for Iraq and Syria reflects Washington’s intent to speed up the handling of this priority dossier.

The US diplomat is being positioned as a direct interlocutor tasked with advancing rapid talks with Baghdad on security and political issues.

The move comes as the formation of Iraq’s next government is increasingly strained by disputes over armed group control and growing US pressure.

Source: Al-Alam Al-Jadeed