ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday ordered the immediate dissolution of an armed faction he established to fight US forces and called for reciprocal diplomatic relations with Washington following the end of the US-led Coalition’s military mission in Iraq.
“We announce the immediate dissolution of the Promised Day Brigade, and the conversion of the Imam al-Mahdi Army into the Ansar al-Imam al-Mahdi Institution,” Sadr said in a Wednesday statement.
Sadr also called on the US military to compensate Iraq for damages caused during what he described as Washington’s "occupation" of the country, urging Iraqis to pursue legal claims.
He wanted the US and neighboring countries against interfering in Iraqi affairs, saying such intervention could result in a severed relations and reciprocal measures.
His statement came as the US-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) formally concluded its 12-year military mission in Iraq under a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington. The Iraqi government marked September 30 as “Sovereignty Day,” while the United States said its forces had completed their withdrawal from Iraq.
“We hope for reciprocal diplomatic engagement from the United States, and that it does not act arrogantly toward Iraq, its government, and its people,” Sadr said.
Sadr established the Promised Day Brigade in 2008 after he froze the Mahdi Army, his powerful militia that fought US-led forces following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The smaller armed formation was created to continue fighting US forces while other members of the Sadrist movement shifted towards political and social activities.
US military officials at the time included the Promised Day Brigade among Shiite armed factions they referred to as “Special Groups.” Then-US commander General Ray Oiderno said in 2010 that Iran supported the Proposed Day Brigade, Kataib Hezbollah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq in attacks against American bases.
Sadr said Wednesday that the end of what he called the “occupation” required further measures, including establishing a state monopoly over weapons, strengthening security forces - particularly border guards - and encouraging veteran political leaders to retire and make way for “new faces”.
The cleric has backed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s drive to bring armed groups and their weapons under state authority.
In late May, Sadr announced the “total and absolute separation” of his Peace Brigades (Saraya al-Salam) from his National Shiite Movement and ordered the armed faction’s full integration into state institutions. Iraqi security officials said in June that the process of integrating its personnel and weapons had begun.
Zaidi initially set September 30 as a deadline for Iran-backed armed factions to disarm and come under state control. His government has since proposed extending the process to mid-2027 under a phased disarmament.
