Iraqi army reaffirms putting all weapons under state control

Members of Saraya al-Salam attend a ceremony in Samarra on June 4, 2026, marking their integration into Iraq’s security forces. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi military reaffirmed on Thursday its commitment to implementing the government’s goal of putting all weapons under state control, stating that it is an irreversible sovereign matter. The spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Sabah al-Numan, stated that the government remains dedicated to regulating firearms and guaranteeing that they are under the control of the state and its official security agencies. Al-Numan stated that a specialist committee had been created and that discussions were underway on how to control weapons in a way that preserves them, adding that the issue was a fundamental demand. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is spearheading the government’s proposal to bring all weaponry under strict state control to strengthen national sovereignty, enforce the rule of law, and keep the country out of regional wars. The effort aims to abolish autonomous armed power by September 30, 2026, when the military mission of the US-led international coalition comes to an end. Armed factions such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali have started to sever their autonomous ties to fully integrate into official governmental institutions. The Iraqi Interior Ministry extended the national weapons registration procedure to the end of 2026, while continuing to purchase medium-range firearms from individuals. Security personnel are actively targeting unauthorized organizations, carrying out raids and seizing illegal weapons. Iraqi policymakers are considering a compromise solution to avoid deadly riots. Iran-aligned militias may keep their weapons under the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state-recognized paramilitary organization, instead of handing them over directly to official authorities. Factions including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada refuse to disarm as long as any foreign military presence continues in the country. While September 30 marks the departure of foreign forces, security officials emphasize that the date represents the start of a gradual, long-term weapon control process, not an absolute deadline for ultimate disarmament.