Influential Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has blamed armed groups and the government’s failure to assert state control over weapons for the deaths of fighters killed in joint US-Saudi air strikes. Writing on X, al-Sadr accused militia leaders of pursuing personal interests while exposing their fighters and Iraqi security personnel to deadly attacks. He said the militias' reckless actions and the lack of state control over weapons were the cause of what he called the “unjust martyrdom” of Iraqi fighters. Al-Sadr demanded an end to “individualistic and irrational” actions by armed factions, noting that militia leaders continued to “enjoy security, comfort, and commerce.” The cleric, who commands a large following among Iraqi Shia Muslims and has emerged as a prominent critic of Iranian influence, offered condolences to the victims’ families, adding that there was “no solace for those whose actions caused their loss.” The strikes, which targeted Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, come amid growing pressure on those groups to disarm. However, the attacks may embolden the militias to become more deeply involved in the regional conflict.