Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades set conditions for talks on weapons, including Turkish withdrawal and disbanding of Peshmerga

The Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades have set conditions for negotiations with the Iraqi government over their weapons.

In a statement, the group said the conditions for the Islamic Resistance to engage with any government on organising its weapons included the “complete and genuine withdrawal” of US forces from Iraqi territory and airspace, along with guarantees that they would not return.

The group also called for Iraq’s political and economic decision-making to be freed from US influence, as well as the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Iraq.

It added that the conditions also included “disbanding the Peshmerga forces”, describing them as the most heavily armed militia and the greatest threat to Iraq’s unity, and accusing them of having “suspicious ties” with Israel.

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The Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades strongly criticised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, saying: “We have been patient for more than 100 days with the empty bravado of the young prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, hoping that he would understand the dynamics governing the domestic, regional and international situation and listen to the advice of senior politicians. However, we have seen no progress in his understanding of the complex circumstances facing Iraq and the region. Instead, the situation has worsened because of his insistence on listening to those hostile to the Shiites, as well as to the US envoy Tom Barrack.”

The group added: “Our patience is running out over the provocative and irresponsible actions of the young al-Zaidi, including raids on homes and the intimidation of the families of martyrs, wounded people, fighters and clerics, under the direct supervision of the US enemy.”

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