Chief Justice Zaidan and U.S. Envoy discuss post-coalition arms control

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — The President of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Dr. Faiq Zaidan, received the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, to discuss judicial mechanisms and the enforcement of the rule of law following the scheduled conclusion of the International Coalition’s military mission. According to an official statement issued by the Supreme Judicial Council and reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the discussions focused on legal procedures regarding entities and individuals bearing arms in violation of the Iraqi Constitution and applicable laws, as well as institutional frameworks to enforce the rule of law universally across the country. Key Discussion Pillars Post-Coalition Legal Framework:Reviewing judicial and legal preparations ahead of the formal conclusion of the Global Coalition against Daesh/ISIS mission in Iraq on September 30, 2026. Prosecution of Unregulated Arms:Outlining judicial measures against groups and individuals possessing, displaying, or utilizing unauthorized weapons outside the direct chain of command of state constitutional institutions. Universal Rule of Law:Establishing judicial coordination mechanisms to ensure that legal statutes and constitutional provisions apply equally to all entities without exception. The meeting comes as Iraq prepares for the transition of the U.S.-led international military mission into bilateral security partnerships.Restricting weapons exclusively to state custody remains a core pillar of the Iraqi government’s institutional program. By coordinating judicial procedures alongside executive security measures, the Supreme Judicial Council aims to reinforce national sovereignty, enhance judicial oversight over armed actors, and solidify internal stability as the international military mandate concludes.