The Militia Digest
Nujaba’s military deputy Abdul Qadir al-Karbala’i demanded immediate release on 4 October for people arrested over trampling American and Israeli flags at Baghdad’s Sovereignty Day parade. He called the arrests a dangerous precedent and defended the act as freedom of expression. Commander-in-chief spokesperson Sabah al-Numan announced arrests, while Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation and legal action. Akram al-Kaabi (Nujaba — secretary-general) supported the flag-trampling protesters in a video carried by Al-Nujaba TV (Nujaba — official). Kurdistan24 reported that the video showed Kaabi himself trampling a US flag. Al-Ittijah TV (KH — official), Al-Kornet al-Kata’ibi (KSS — affiliated) and Unit 10,000 (KH — affiliated) carried al-Karbala’i’s release demand.
Separately, Jaafar al-Husseini (KH — military spokesman) rejected binding government schedules for the Islamic Resistance, in remarks reported by UA.NEWS citing the Jerusalem Post. He said Baghdad had not answered KH’s weapons proposals. Elmanshar.com reported that faction refusals had led the government to abandon 30 September as a final disarmament deadline. Al-Zaidi had already set 30 June 2027 for completing state control of weapons. Shafaq News cited an informed source saying the Coordination Framework and al-Zaidi would discuss weapons control, cabinet completion and the 2027 budget later today.
On cabinet completion, Al-Janoub TV (Harakat al-Jihad wal-Bina — official) reported that the parliamentary session had been postponed until next week. It attributed the delay to candidate disputes over Labour and Social Affairs, Youth and Sports, and Planning, Construction and Housing. Reconstruction and Development Coalition member Saif al-Mansouri, speaking on Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official), said blocs offered three options per ministry and the prime minister could choose. Tasnim named Laith al-Khazali, brother of AAH secretary-general Qais al-Khazali, and former planning minister Mohammed Tamim among deputy-premiership possibilities.
Mahdi al-Husseini (AAH — Sadiqoun political office) rejected personally motivated amendments to the PMF law on Al-Ahad TV. He said Sadiqoun was accelerating passage and demanded protection for personnel rights. Salem al-Abbasawi (AAH — Sadiqoun MP) said PMF retirement legislation might give al-Zaidi powers concerning exceptions. Al-Ghadeer TV (Badr Organization — official) described the bill as before parliament, while MP Ahmad al-Saadi said it had not arrived. Watan TV (Badr Organization — affiliated) relayed the parliamentary security committee’s forecast of submission next week. Al-Ittijah TV and Sabereen News (KH — affiliated) carried Hussein Ali al-Diraji’s (KH — Hoquq MP) request to the finance minister for payment of PMF personnel’s financial differences. Their displayed letters appeared dated 29 September 2026 on Al-Ittijah and 29 September 2023 on Sabereen.
Separately, Sabereen News, Al-Nujaba TV and Al-Ahad TV reported the first Iranian aircraft’s arrival at Najaf after flights resumed. Sabereen linked the arrival to popular rejection of what it called an American air ban on Iran. The National reported Iranian flights landing after a US sanctions exemption. Unit 10,000 said Iraqi Airways would resume direct flights to Iran starting Thursday. It attributed that resumption to popular anger against decisions serving America.