Via The Cradle A committee comprising three senior Iraqi figures is close to finalizing an “executive plan” to disarm factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) that enjoy support from Iran, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on 8 May. Development of the plan, which will be presented to US officials in the next few days, comes amid expected changes to the leadership of key security agencies under the incoming government of Ali al-Zaidi. Trump congratulates Iraq PM nominee Ali al-Zaidi, eyes stronger ties Zaidi was nominated by the Shia-majority Coordination Framework (CF) political bloc on April 27 as the consensus candidate to succeed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. According to sources speaking to the Saudi newspaper, the three-member committee includes Zaidi, Sudani, and the leader of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri. Washington has intensified pressure on Iraq’s ruling Shia political parties to disarm the anti-terrorist militias and prevent their representatives from participating in the new government. The sources revealed that the committee has held secret negotiations with leaders of the factions, providing their leaders with “ideas on how to disarm and integrate fighters.” …