BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

MAY 31, 2026 13:08

In an unusual development one of the leading Iranian-supported militias operating in Iraq has floated an odd plan to purchase drones and missiles from rival groups that have chosen to surrender their weapons.

The idea originates with Kataib Hezbollah an Iranian-backed force that forms a central element of the Popular Mobilization Forces. The PMF serves as an umbrella organization for Iran-aligned militias and functions as an official government paramilitary unit akin to a national guard.

Consequently Kataib Hezbollah receives state funding while still acting beyond official oversight.

Kataib Hezbollah ranks among the most hazardous of the Iran-aligned militias.

Its commanders have received Specially Designated Global Terrorist listings and the United States classifies the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Additional factions encompass Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba HAN Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada KSS Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya HAAA Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali KIA.

The United States eliminated Kataib Hezbollah commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis via drone strike in January 2020. Muhandis had long been sought for terrorist acts in Kuwait during the early 1980s and died alongside IRGC Quds Force chief Qasem Soleimani.

In mid-May 2026 the US Justice Department reported that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi had been transferred to American custody and indicted on multiple charges including participation in assaults inside the US and Europe. Al-Saadi is described as connected to Kataib Hezbollah and the IRGC.

Kataib Hezbollah abducted researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in March 2023 and held her until September 2025. The group also faces accusations over the seizure of US journalist Shelly Kittelson in Iraq and launched a drone strike that killed three Americans in Jordan during 2025.

The US Rewards for Justice initiative recently announced an offer of up to 10 million dollars for details on Ahmad al-Hamidawi the head of the terrorist organization Kataib Hezbollah a US-listed Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Kataib Hezbollah endorses disarmament of non-resistance groups

One might expect Kataib Hezbollah to face barriers when openly obtaining weapons in Iraq given the scrutiny it attracts. Nevertheless the group has expressed support for disarmament efforts by militias not engaged in Islamic resistance activities.

This stance appears directed at acquiring arms from Muqtada al-Sadr Saraya al-Salam organization.

Kataib Hezbollah now claims it will accept the weapons to fulfill jihad obligations. Spokesman Abu Mujahid al-Assaf stated that the group welcomes steps by brothers outside Islamic resistance work aimed at limiting arms to state control boosting security and stability preserving Iraqi resources and recognizing jihad as a shared duty that the group will carry out for those stepping aside while remaining available if needed.

Al-Assaf further noted readiness to assist with coordination between the entities and PMF leadership including oversight of weapon inventories transfers and secure storage as well as acceptance of specialized arms lacking state expertise such as drones suicide aircraft cruise missiles and anti-armor systems.

The group also offered to provide payment and support for families of martyrs and wounded plus fighters no longer required.

The spokesperson emphasized that anyone choosing to abandon jihadist efforts deserves no blame and commended the surrender of arms to the state by groups uninvolved in Islamic resistance.

The statement reveals that Kataib Hezbollah seeks to weaken non-jihadist factions while securing their weapons rather than endorsing a full state handover.

Group prepared to accept specialized arms

The organization specifically declared readiness to receive certain advanced weapons unavailable to state agencies including drones loitering munitions cruise missiles anti-armor systems and similar equipment raising regional concerns.

Kataib Hezbollah stands out as one of the most capable and longstanding Iran-backed militias alongside the Badr organization which remains the sole unsanctioned group. Despite heavy sanctions Kataib Hezbollah is positioning itself for greater strength through its existing PMF brigades.