Influential Iraqi Shia leader blames Iraqi militias for deaths in US-Saudi strikes

Influential Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has publicly blamed armed militias for recent deaths resulting from joint United States and Saudi air strikes. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, al-Sadr attributed the casualties to the actions of these groups and criticized the Iraqi government for its inability to establish state control over weaponry.

The remarks highlight ongoing concerns regarding the proliferation of non-state armed factions operating within Iraq. By linking the strikes to the failure of central authority, al-Sadr’s comments underscore the persistent challenges Baghdad faces in asserting sovereignty and managing the influence of militias that operate outside of official military structures.