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Harakat al-Nujaba
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Harakat al-Nujaba

Iran-aligned Iraqi militia; US-designated terrorist group refusing to disarm until foreign troops leave.

Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah are refusing to put their weapons under Iraqi state control until foreign troops leave Iraq, The National reported on 8 November 2026. Baghdad's disarmament deadline, first set for 30 September, now runs to 30 June 2027 at the earliest.

Last refreshed: 8 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Will Harakat al-Nujaba hand over its weapons before Baghdad's June 2027 deadline?

Timeline for Harakat al-Nujaba

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Background

Harakat al-Nujaba is an Iran-aligned Iraqi militia founded in 2013, according to the US State Department. State says it has pledged loyalty to Iran and to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a leading member of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, and receives military and logistical support from Iran. It says the group's officials have threatened to attack US bases and personnel in the region.

The State Department designated the group and its secretary general, Akram al-Kabi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in 2019. It designated the group a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September 2025. US envoy Tom Barrack said in November 2026 that militia influence has no place in Iraq's institutions.

With Kataib Hezbollah, it is one of two Iran-aligned militias refusing to place their weapons under state control until foreign troops leave Iraq, The National reported in November 2026. Baghdad's deadline for militia disarmament now runs to 30 June 2027 at the earliest.

Common Questions

Reference

Is Harakat al-Nujaba a terrorist organisation?
The US designated it a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2019 and a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September 2025.Source: US State Department
What is Harakat al-Nujaba?
An Iran-aligned Iraqi militia founded in 2013, according to the US State Department, and a leading member of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.Source: US State Department
Will Harakat al-Nujaba hand its weapons to the Iraqi state?
Not yet. As of November 2026 it refuses until foreign troops leave, and Baghdad's deadline now runs to 30 June 2027 at the earliest.Source: The National
Who leads Harakat al-Nujaba?
The US State Department named Akram al-Kabi as its secretary general in 2025.Source: US State Department
Source Material
Iraqi PM orders cancellation of three Mosul airport contracts over alleged militia linksTerrorist Designations of Four Iran-Aligned Militia Groups (State Department fact sheet, reproduced)Foreign Terrorist Organization Designations of Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 8 November 2026. Editorial standards.