Iraq militia's shift may aid Iran's clout

BAGHDAD -- A decision by a Shia militia to transform itself from an armed, anti-American movement into a viable political force could complicate Iraq's political crisis and strengthen Iran's clout in this country as U.S. influence wanes.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government has welcomed the recent decision by Asaib Ahl al-Haq to lay down its arms and join the political process. But bringing the former militants into the fold may alienate the Sunni minority and increase tensions between competing Shia groups.

Al-Maliki, who is widely believed to have played an active role in encouraging the militia to transform, may now gain an important ally that could also lessen his dependence on radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political bloc. Al-Sadr considers Asaib Ahl al-Haq a disloyal faction that broke away from his own anti-American militia several years ago.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or Band of the Righteous, believes it played an important role in resisting the American presence in Iraq and that it now deserves some political payback. The group is thought to have fewer than 1,000 armed militiamen, backed by tens of thousands of supporters. An Iraqi close to the extremist group said last year that it relies on Iran for roughly $5 million in cash and weapons each month.

It is unclear how committed the group is to disarming entirely. Despite agreeing to renounce violence late last month, its members have not handed over their weapons, according to the Iraqi official in charge of reconciling with the country's armed groups.

A senior member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq said in an interview this week that the group wants to ally itself with other Shia groups to run in provincial and parliamentary elections. But he stopped short of saying the group would disarm completely.