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War and Peace in State Hands.. Iraq Seeks to Disarm Iran-Loyal Factions
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Iraqi officials' statements show clear determination to confront Iranian influence and end the phenomenon of armed militias outside state framework
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed his government's efforts to convince Iran-linked militias to either surrender their weapons or integrate into official security institutions.
Hussein emphasized in statements Thursday the rejection of continued weapons proliferation outside state control, confirming his country's keenness to develop solid relations with the United States under elected President Donald Trump. The Iraqi minister expressed his country's concerns about ISIS activity in Syrian territories, pointing to counter-terrorism priority.
These statements aligned with Interior Minister Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari's confirmation on Sunday that the decision of war is exclusively in the hands of the Armed Forces Commander, highlighting a specific timeline for implementing a campaign to restrict weapons to state control.
Al-Shammari clarified that all military and security formations, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, are subject to the orders of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief. The minister highlighted governmental and public consensus on rejecting the continued presence of loose weapons, indicating his ministry's preparations to take over security from the army and Popular Mobilization Forces.
He revealed that thousands of citizens registered their weapons at police stations during 2024, announcing the extension of the registration period into 2025, noting public engagement with the initiative.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani previously confirmed his country's refusal to be drawn into regional conflicts, referring to Iranian tensions with the United States and Israel.
Iraqi authorities have feared, since the outbreak of confrontations in Gaza in October 2023, the involvement of pro-Tehran militias in the conflict, similar to Lebanese Hezbollah, which could drag the country into devastating conflicts.
Levant-Agencies
