Iran-backed militias trample US flag, exposing Iraq’s sovereignty problem - analysis

Days after US forces left Iraq, photos circulated on social media showing Iranian-backed militias driving over American flags during an event in Iraq. The militias have long been connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran. They have also carried out hundreds of attacks on US forces over the last decade.

“The PMF, an official division of the Iraqi government’s security services, is seen desecrating the US flag out of disrespect and praising the murderous regime in Iran,” US Congressman Joe Wilson wrote.

Wilson went on to note that “If you needed any more proof that Iraq is an Iranian province…[Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al] Zaidi is this what you think of America? Free Iraq from Iran.” Victoria J. Taylor, Director, Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council, noted, “When Iraq declared "Sovereignty Days" to celebrate the departure of US troops and the end of Operation Inherent Resolve, I winced. The OIR [Operation Inherent Resolve] mission was present in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government to fight ISIS.”

Taylor, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq/Iran at the US Department of State, noted that “I just knew there would eventually be some event where people were walking or driving over the flag, and here it is. This time by the Popular Mobilization Forces, not just the militias. I know this doesn't represent all Iraqis, but the Iraqi government should have done better in avoiding this kind of blatant anti-Americanism from the official forces.”

The desecration of the American flag has been posted on social media. The Kurdish media network Rudaw noted it “could not find photos on the PMF’s social media accounts showing the US flag being desecrated during the event, although the PMF published images showing the Israeli flag being desecrated.”

PMF displays Hezbollah flags

It also noted that “the PMF also displayed the flag of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah, which has been significantly weakened by Israeli attacks, is part of the Iran-aligned so-called Axis of Resistance, which also includes several Iraqi armed groups operating under the PMF umbrella.”

Other reports have shown alleged members of the militias with images of Hamas leaders. This illustrates how Iran continues to have influence in Iraq and how the militias tend to feel allegiance to Iran and also other Iranian proxies.

The government of Iraq says it wants to rein in the militias and disarm them. However, it is having trouble getting to an agreement with the militias. Most of the militias have been sanctioned as terrorist groups by the US. The US has also targeted the militias with airstrikes. There are also rewards for information leading to the militia leaders.

Several militias refuse to disarm despite Iraqi gov't's demand

About a dozen powerful militias remain. Several of them have said they refuse to disarm. The Iraqi government wants to disarm them by June 2027. It’s not clear how the more extreme groups such as Kataib Hezbollah will be disarmed. They are very close to Iran’s IRGC. Iran wants to use Iraq as a frontline. It also uses Iraq as a base for attacks on Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other countries. The militias have also targeted Israel and killed American service members in Jordan. They also attacked a key Saudi Arabian pipeline in September.

The trampling of the American flag by the militias is not new. However, the US will now focus on their activities now that it has left Iraq. Iraq is talking about “sovereignty.” It won’t be sovereign so long as Iran can use the militias in Iraq.