Iraq intensifies efforts to centralize arms and control militias

The Iraqi government is intensifying efforts to consolidate all weapons under state authority, emphasizing that there is no justification for arms held outside the official framework. The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces stated that the military is working to prevent the country from being used as a base to target neighboring nations.

Progress has been reported with three factions—Saraya al-Salam, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali—having reportedly surrendered weapons, including drones and missiles, to integrate into official state structures. However, five other groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, remain in negotiations, often linking their positions to the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Farhad al-Atroushi, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, warned that some armed factions are operating under the orders of a neighboring state rather than Baghdad. He noted that the process of centralizing arms is complex and that failure to resolve the issue could lead to Iraq being placed on lists of states sponsoring terrorism.

Security concerns also extend to the Kurdistan region, where attacks by factions have disrupted oil investments. Officials noted that the agreement between Baghdad and Erbil is essential to preventing attacks in the region. The government aims to complete the disarmament process by June 2027, amid the ongoing withdrawal of the International Coalition forces.