Rubio warns of Iraq ‘Balkanisation’: Is that a real threat?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iraq faces the risk of ‘Balkanisation’ if its armed factions are not brought under state control. He stated during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in New York that unifying weapons under government authority is crucial to prevent the country from fragmenting, especially due to Iran-aligned armed groups. Rubio noted that while some groups have disarmed and joined the government, others remain uncooperative, potentially leading to ethnic or sectarian divisions. ‘Balkanisation’ refers to a country breaking into smaller, rival units, a concern linked to internal fractures caused by these groups.