The deadline set by Iraqi Resistance factions to respond to the latest Saudi-US attack on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) positions does not appear to have expired so much as it has entered a political testing phase. A military response had been expected after the factions’ deadline passed at midnight on Thursday. Instead, it was postponed following political appeals, notably from Badr Organization leader Hadi Al-Amiri. The decision coincided with government efforts to contain the escalation and revive dialogue over the factions’ weapons and their relationship with the state. The delay, however, has not signaled a retreat from retaliation. Akram Al-Kaabi, secretary general of Al-Nujaba Movement, said “diplomacy” with Saudi Arabia was futile and called for an “appropriate military response” following the deaths of PMF members in the Saudi-US attack. A movement leader told Al-Akhbar that “retaliation is inevitable, and there is no room for negotiations or diplomacy,” warning that “Saudi Arabia will receive a harsh lesson.” He said mediators had sought to prevent retaliation in exchange for money, but “that will not deter us from avenging the blood of the martyrs.” Some platforms have reported that Saudi Arabia offered $5 million in compensation for the attack. The government, meanwhile, is seeking what it calls “preventing Iraq from becoming an arena for regional confrontation.” Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi told French President Emmanuel Macron that September 30 would be the final deadline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq. He also stressed the need for balanced relations with neighboring states, preventing Iraqi territory from being used to threaten their security and relying on dialogue on regional and international issues. Some factions have tied any understanding over weapons to conditions involving Iraqi sovereignty, the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces and Iraq’s acquisition of air defense systems. The issue of Resistance weapons is expected to be central to that dialogue. The government has set the end of September as the deadline for what it calls “placing all weapons under state control.” Political and civil groups are also demanding that security institutions be strengthened and the announced timetable implemented. An agreement, however, appears difficult. Some factions have tied any understanding over weapons to conditions involving Iraqi sovereignty, the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces and Iraq’s acquisition of air defense systems. Fulfilling these demands within two months would be extremely difficult. Political researcher Majashaa Al-Tamimi told Al-Akhbar that the next phase could see “comprehensive dialogue” between the government and faction leaders. He expects Iran to become involved in the weapons issue and does not rule out intervention by Najaf’s senior religious authority to help regulate the factions’ activities and movements. Dialogue, he said, is the most likely route to resolving the issue, although “the complications are significant,” particularly over the withdrawal of Turkish forces and strengthening Iraq’s air defenses. Independent politician Omar Al-Nasser said the factions operate on the principle that any agreement requires extensive guarantees and that protecting sovereignty must be the government’s responsibility. “The state must open dialogue with all sides and approach the issue away from confrontation,” he told Al-Akhbar. He expects diplomacy to dominate the next phase and attacks on Gulf states to be avoided. The government is also seeking to demonstrate its seriousness about preventing attacks on Gulf countries. Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service, working with the National Intelligence Service, carried out a security operation in Baghdad that dismantled a three-member cell affiliated with one of the factions and seized drones prepared for attacks outside Iraq, government spokesman Haider Aboudi said. The operation coincided with heightened security and combat readiness across the country. Political forces are also seeking to bring the latest attack before parliament. Sadiqun parliamentary bloc leader Uday Awad said he had requested the attendance of the prime minister, the foreign and defense ministers, the head of the PMF and the heads of the National Security and Intelligence Services. He also called for a joint investigative committee. The PMF, meanwhile, denied allegations that its chairman, Falih Al-Fayyad, had prior knowledge of the Saudi-US strikes. It said its units had been warned two days before the attack to exercise the highest level of caution and confirmed that an investigation had been opened into the 30th Brigade, which suffered the heaviest losses. This is an edited translation for a report published in Arabic.
