Iraqi Cleric Sadr's Militias to Be Integrated Into Armed Forces

Militia groups established by Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are being integrated into Iraq's official armed forces. The integration comes as the United States increases pressure on the Iraqi government to bring paramilitary groups under state control. Al-Sadr leads one of Iraq's most influential Shia political movements and commands significant militia forces that have operated alongside but separate from Iraq's regular military. The move represents part of broader efforts by Baghdad to consolidate control over various armed factions that emerged during years of conflict with ISIS and other groups.