Iraq says militia show of strength 'cannot frighten us', following arrest of leader

Defence Minister 'angry' at armed groups' dangerous escalation against government

Popular Mobilisation Forces militia surround the Green Zone in Iraq's capital Baghdad in a show of strength following the arrest of one of their commanders. AP

Iraqi armed militias that operate outside of state control "cannot frighten the government", Defence Minister Juma Anad said on Sunday.

This came after tensions flared in the capital Baghdad, following the arrest of a militia leader.

Mr Anad denied reports that a commander of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, Qassem Musleh, was released from custody last Wednesday, despite being investigated over terrorism and the assassination of activists.

"Armed militias act unilaterally, they cannot frighten an army or state," Mr Anad told local media.

But he said the government also had to be pragmatic.

"[Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi] always stresses the need for containment and not bloodshed.

"Some may see this as fear, however, we have put the country's interests first, which is to avoid dangerous escalations," Mr Anad said.

If the state proceeds with force, then “the issue becomes dangerous in the event of a fight between the two sides”, he said.

Mr Musleh is the head of PMF operations in Anbar. After his arrest militias backed by Iran put on a show of force in and around Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone.

Reining in Iranian-backed militias that operate outside of the state's control has been a key promise of Mr Al Kadhimi's government since he took office last May.

He vowed to bring justice for those kidnapped and killed during the start of the anti-government movement in late 2019.

Mr Al Kadhimi has yet to deliver on that promise.

The PMF is a state-sanctioned group made up of militias formed to help Iraq’s army defeat ISIS in 2014.

Among the most powerful members of the group are Iran-backed Shiite militias.

“We do not want a repeat of what happened last week. It is shameful for a fight to take place within the security system,” Mr Anad said.

Militia fighters responded to the arrest by taking over one of the main entrances to the Green Zone, the home of foreign embassies – such as the US and UK – and Iraqi government buildings.

Iraqi security forces and the elite Counter Terrorism Service were deployed to protect the diplomatic missions and government buildings in the area.

Mr Anad said there are political parties that are seeking to cause chaos in the country and want to create a “civil war”, without naming those groups.

Mr Anad denied that Mr Musleh had been released, and said he is still under investigation.

Last June, the same unit that detained Mr Musleh arrested 14 members of the Iran-backed PMF group Kataib Hezbollah.

After the militia threatened a stand-off, the central government relented, releasing the militiamen within days.