The collapse of the Assad regime was followed by the escalation of Israeli wars with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the killing of several leaders of the Iranian-led groups of the "Axis of Resistance." These events have led to the decline of the activities of the groups within this "Axis of Resistance." Eventually, the decline of these groups impacted the Shia militia in Iraq, which is a member of the Iranian-led "Axis of Resistance." Iran has been trying to expand its influence by using its proxies in the region for more than three decades. Iran's actions have led to instability in the region. Iran has been trying to bring together groups that share an anti-Western and anti-Israeli ideology in the Middle East. A number of these groups are in Iraq and have an active role and influence over the Iraqi government. They have been allocated special revenues from the Iraqi federal budget. The collapse of the Assad regime and the curbing of Iranian influence in the region have forced the Iraqi government, under external pressure, especially from the United States and Israel, to reduce its support for these groups and work to dismantle them. In this study, we have attempted to determine the future of Iranian-backed Shia militia groups in Iraq. If Iraq does not comply with the demands of the United States and Israel to review its policies regarding these groups, it will once again face attack and severe sanctions from the United States and Western countries. Iraq must seek to protect its interests and survive, and choose between the interests of Iran and the United States. Ultimately, the United States has invested significant amounts of money and lives in the establishment of the Iraqi government after the fall of Saddam's regime and will never allow any parties in Iraq to threaten its interests and allies.

Zanco Journal of Humanity Sciences 2026 Open access