Iraq: Five armed factions agree to surrender weapons

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi announced that five armed factions in Iraq have reached an agreement to surrender their weapons. According to the Prime Minister, three of these factions have already handed over their arms, while the remaining two have expressed their willingness to follow suit.

Al-Zaidi has set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for all weapons held outside of state institutions to be surrendered to government control. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Baghdad to consolidate the state's monopoly on armed force and strengthen national institutions. The Coordination Framework, a major Shia political alliance, has reportedly supported this timeline.

In addition to domestic security, Al-Zaidi addressed regional and economic matters. He noted ongoing discussions with Kuwait to resolve bilateral issues and mentioned that Turkish forces have withdrawn from certain positions within Iraq. On the economic front, the Prime Minister expressed ambitions to increase Iraq's oil production to 10 million barrels per day by 2031.