As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay

U.S. forces plan to complete their withdrawal from Iraq by Sept. 30, redeploying remaining troops and gear to neighboring countries and winding down a decades-long presence.
Most powerful Iran-backed militias say they won’t disarm, leaving big questions about who controls heavy weapons and how stable Iraq will be after the pullout.
Regional risks remain high—militias have attacked U.S.-linked targets and coordinated with Yemen’s Houthis, and Kurdish areas fear greater vulnerability even as Baghdad seeks new air defenses.