Politicians support Al-Sistani’s call for state control of arms, militias offer different own interpretation

BAGHDAD — Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani’s recent call for enforcing the rule of law and limiting arms to state institutions has bolstered voices within Iraq opposing Shia militia attacks on U.S. forces and Israel, amid fears that such actions could entangle Iraq in the ongoing regional conflict between Iran and Israel. However, militias have historically interpreted Sistani’s guidance to align with their agendas.

On Monday, Ayatollah Sistani met with the United Nations Special Representative to Iraq, Ambassador Mohammed Al-Hassan, in Najaf. According to a statement from Sistani’s office, the Ayatollah, a widely respected figure among Shia Muslims, emphasized the need for “scientific and practical plans grounded in efficiency and integrity, reducing foreign interference, enforcing the rule of law, restricting weapons to state institutions, and combating corruption at all levels.”

Supporting this position, former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi echoed Sistani’s call, saying, “The religious authority’s directives show we have yet to address core questions regarding centralizing arms under state control, protecting sovereignty, strengthening the national economy, and unifying our vision on these matters.” Al-Abadi, a member of the Shia Coordination Framework coalition, added, “Everyone can debate arms issues, claiming constitutional sanction, and argue about operational programs, saying they are following these requirements, but the political class is no longer listening to the religious authority’s details.”

Al-Abadi also cautioned against prioritizing foreign interests over Iraq’s. “The Iranians naturally prioritize their own interests, and that’s acceptable when it aligns with ours. But it is unacceptable for Iraqis to put Iran’s interests ahead of Iraq’s. Iraq’s military capabilities are limited compared to global powers, incapable of altering the balance. Meanwhile, the religious authority guides us toward more prudent ways to provide support,” he stated.

Similarly, Ammar Al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, endorsed Sistani’s message, calling it “a comprehensive roadmap.” “This vision reflects the Ayatollah’s paternal guidance for Iraq, its people, and the region amidst rapidly unfolding events,” Al-Hakim said, expressing full support for Sistani’s points, especially his call for the United Nations to enhance Iraq’s standing in the regional and international arenas.

Shia militias in Iraq, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, and Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, groups often aligned with Iran, are key players in the “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition opposed to Western influence and Israel. These militias have escalated their actions against Israel, with recent drone and missile attacks under “The Islamic Resistance in Iraq” banner. In October 2024, they claimed responsibility for attacks on southern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights. This shift raises the risk of drawing Iraq into a broader regional conflict, potentially inviting Israeli retaliation on Iraqi territories. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed six drone strikes on southern Israel today.

Despite Ayatollah Al-Sistani’s call, these groups have claimed his directive does not apply to their “resistance” activities. For instance, Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada argued that Ayatollah Sistani’s arms limitation does not include their factions. In an interview with Al-Dijla TV, Abbas Al-Zaidi, a leader in the group, insisted, “I am certain that the Marja’iya does not intend to disarm us, as it is the one that granted us legitimacy and protected us. We do not claim that we have safeguarded its position, but I say that we have defended it and will continue to do so, just as we defended the political system on the outskirts of Baghdad when mortar shells were falling near the shrine of Imam Al-Kadhim.”

Al-Sistani’s influence on Iraqi society and the Shia community is profound. Known for his advocacy for peace and unity, his statements carry considerable weight. In 2014, during ISIS’s rapid advance in Iraq, Sistani issued a “defensive jihad” fatwa, mobilizing tens of thousands and leading to the Popular Mobilization Forces’ formation, which was critical in the fight against ISIS. His call unified various Iraqi communities, preventing a potential collapse of the state.

The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, has repeatedly asserted its efforts to keep Iraq out of the conflict. In October, Al-Sudani affirmed that only the state’s constitutional institutions hold authority over decisions on war and peace, warning that actions taken outside this framework would face legal repercussions.