Iraq PMF chief calls for non-violent weapons regulation

Faleh Al-Fayyad, head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), stated that the country is entering a new phase of political and security stability following the withdrawal of US forces. Al-Fayyad emphasized that the regulation of weapons must be handled through inclusive processes rather than military force, warning that using force to address the issue could lead to confrontation.

In a recent development, a senior Iraqi official reported that an armed faction handed over several drones and missiles, some with ranges exceeding 100 kilometers, to the government in the presence of US representatives. This move is seen as an effort to demonstrate progress to the United States, which has threatened economic and financial sanctions if Iran-aligned groups maintain independent arsenals.

Despite this handover, the positions of the approximately 70 armed factions affiliated with the PMF remain divided. While some groups have complied, major factions closely linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard continue to refuse to surrender their weapons. These groups have demanded conditions such as the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces and the expulsion of US companies before agreeing to disarmament.