Published: 12:39 PM, 19 August 2026
Internal Rifts Aggravate Law and Order in Iraq
Iraq’s fragile security situation is being worsened by deep political divisions, rival armed factions and growing disagreements over the authority of the central government. Although the country has made progress since the defeat of the Islamic State, internal disputes continue to weaken state institutions and make it difficult for security forces to maintain law and order. The most serious challenge comes from the complicated relationship between Iraq’s government and powerful armed groups. The Popular Mobilization Forces, established to fight the Islamic State after 2014, were later brought formally into Iraq’s security structure. However, the organization contains factions with different political interests and varying degrees of loyalty to Baghdad. Some groups have developed close links with Iran and have retained considerable military and political influence. This divided chain of authority has created a major problem for the Iraqi state. A government may issue orders, but powerful factions do not always accept them.
Some armed groups have operated independently and have occasionally been involved in attacks without clear approval from the central authorities. Such actions undermine the government’s control over the use of force, which is essential for maintaining public security and the rule of law.
Political fragmentation has made the situation even more complicated. Iraq’s parliamentary system is divided among Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political blocs, while rival parties frequently compete for ministries, economic resources and influence over state institutions. Prolonged political negotiations have repeatedly highlighted the struggle among different factions. The unresolved question of how armed groups should be controlled has added another layer of tension.
The consequences are visible in everyday security. When political parties and armed organizations have competing interests, police and military commanders can face conflicting pressures. Citizens may become uncertain about which authority is responsible for protecting them or punishing offenders. In areas where armed factions exercise strong influence, political connections can sometimes be more powerful than formal legal institutions. Corruption further weakens the security system. Allegations of bribery, patronage and misuse of public resources have damaged confidence in government institutions. Security positions and government contracts can become sources of political and financial influence, reducing the professionalism of state agencies. Such practices make it difficult for the government to establish an effective and impartial system of law enforcement.
Regional tensions have also exposed Iraq’s internal weaknesses. As conflicts involving Iran, Israel and the United States have intensified, Iraq has struggled to prevent its territory from becoming a battlefield. Iran-aligned Iraqi factions have sometimes taken actions that threaten foreign interests, while the Iraqi government has faced pressure to restrain them. At the same time, Baghdad has sought to protect national sovereignty and prevent the country from being drawn into a wider regional conflict.
The security crisis also threatens Iraq’s economy, particularly its vital oil industry. Attacks on energy infrastructure and political instability can discourage investment and disrupt economic activity. If insecurity persists, international companies may become increasingly reluctant to operate in the country, making economic recovery more difficult and increasing pressure on ordinary citizens.
Analysts argue that Iraq needs stronger national institutions rather than competing centres of power. The government must establish a clear and unified chain of command, strengthen the independence of the judiciary, tackle corruption and ensure that all armed organizations operate under effective state authority. Political leaders also need to resolve disputes through constitutional and democratic mechanisms rather than relying on armed pressure.
For ordinary Iraqis, the central issue is security. People want to live without fear of political violence, militia clashes, crime or arbitrary use of power. Years after the defeat of the Islamic State, Iraq has an opportunity to consolidate peace, but internal divisions could undermine those gains.
Unless political leaders overcome their rivalries and place national interests above factional calculations, law and order will remain vulnerable. Iraq’s long-term stability depends not only on defeating external threats but also on building a state strong enough to command the loyalty of its institutions, security forces and citizens.
