Iran-Backed Militias Seek Political Sway in Iraq

The main alliance challenging Prime Minister Abadi in Saturday’s vote is dominated by factions with ties to Tehran

BAGHDAD—Iraq’s Shiite militias used artillery and ammunition provided by Iran to fight Islamic State. Now, some of those Tehran-backed militias have effectively morphed into political parties poised to expand their role through Iraqi elections on Saturday.

The main alliance running against Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s bloc is dominated by political factions with ties to Iran, such as a party called Victorious that is linked to the Master of the Martyrs Brigades militia in 2016.

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