Iraq seeks state control over weapons and military authority

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi has asserted that the state must maintain sole authority over weapons, war, and peace within the country. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, al-Saidi emphasized a model where decision-making power and weaponry are centralized within constitutional institutions.

A central component of this policy involves the disarmament of powerful, Iranian-backed Shia militias. While some reports suggested a deadline of summer 2027 for this process, Qasim al-Araji, a former Interior Minister and National Security Advisor, has denied that a specific timeframe has been established. Al-Araji stated that reports regarding a fixed deadline for the committee tasked with bringing militia weapons under state control are incorrect.

The push for state control coincides with the planned withdrawal of US troops. Government officials have indicated that once all weapons are under state authority, any individual possessing an illegal firearm will be treated as a terrorist. Additionally, Baghdad is seeking to diversify oil export routes and strengthen economic and development ties with strategic partners following the departure of foreign forces.