Baghdad – INA
As part of the Iraqi government's efforts to reinforce state authority and strengthen its sovereignty across the country, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi continues to pursue the objective of ensuring that weapons are held exclusively by the state. This issue is regarded as one of the most important strategic priorities of the current administration.
The government maintains that this policy is consistent with the Constitution and the rule of law and is intended to strengthen official security institutions and ensure the state's exclusive authority over the use of force, thereby contributing to security and stability.
Observers view progress on this issue as an important step toward building a strong state capable of enforcing the law, protecting its citizens, and affirming the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the government to issue and implement security directives exclusively through official institutions.
In this context, security expert Fadhil Abu Raghif stated that the decision of the Coordination Framework to grant broad authority to Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali Al-Zaidi regarding the weapons file represents the most significant and unprecedented delegation of such powers to an Iraqi prime minister.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Abu Raghif said “The Prime Minister is moving toward reducing the militarization of society and integrating armed factions into the official security establishment through a phased plan aimed at regulating and restricting the spread of weapons within Iraqi society, including weapons held by some faction leaders.”
He added that the plan includes registering and cataloging weapons and placing them in ammunition depots and storage facilities belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, describing the move as the beginning of the correct path toward ensuring that weapons remain under state control.
Abu Raghif further explained that government measures will not be limited to weapons held by armed factions but will also address weapons possessed by tribal groups. He noted that the Prime Minister had previously discussed the issue with tribal leaders and sheikhs, emphasizing the need to prohibit the use of firearms during funerals, mourning gatherings, and celebrations, as such practices challenge state authority and contribute to the militarization of society.
He stressed that the government intends to deal firmly with any actions that promote militarization or involve the use of weapons outside the legal framework.
Abu Raghif also stated that the international community and regional countries are closely monitoring the government's actions in this area, noting signs of approval regarding efforts to eliminate weapons operating outside state control and anticipating supportive messages and positive assessments in the near future.
Separately, Sheikh Bashar Al-Mashhadani, preacher of the Al-Kilaniyah Shrine, praised Prime Minister Al-Zaidi’s efforts on the issue.
Al-Mashhadani said “We congratulate Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on assuming office during this critical period and pray that God grants him success in managing the vital issues that will rescue the country and provide citizens with a dignified and prosperous life.”
He added “We commend the government's efforts to combat corruption and organize the security sector, particularly the establishment of a specialized committee to recover public funds and return them to the state treasury, as well as the formation of another committee responsible for overseeing the surrender of weapons and ensuring that arms remain exclusively in the hands of the state.”
Al-Mashhadani concluded by stating that these initiatives demonstrate the Prime Minister’s seriousness, perseverance, experience, and competence in handling sensitive state affairs, expressing hope that Iraq will enter a new era of security, stability, prosperity, and development.
For his part, Sheikh Abdul Wahab Ahmed Hassan Al-Taha, Imam and preacher of the Hanafi Shrine, affirmed that the government is serious about ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under state control.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Sheikh Al-Taha stated “Corruption has affected every aspect of life. Therefore, the government moved quickly to establish an institution or authority dedicated to combating corruption, with the aim of strengthening the confidence of the Iraqi people in this government.”
He added “The government's initiative to restrict weapons to state control is an important step. We hope it will achieve stability, security, peace, and social coexistence.”
He stressed that “There can be no genuine security as long as multiple groups possess weapons while others remain unarmed. Such matters should be regarded as sovereign issues that must remain exclusively under the authority of the state.”
The preacher concluded by noting that “These measures are evidence of this government's seriousness and commitment. We pray that Almighty God grants success to those responsible for building and developing the country.”
Meanwhile, security and military expert Jalil Khalaf stated that the decision to restrict weapons to state control is a correct step in the right direction. He explained that the decision would strengthen the Iraqi state's authority and sovereignty over its territory while reinforcing the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Iraqi government in issuing and implementing orders.
Khalaf told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) “The decision to restrict weapons to state control represents a historic turning point. However, the process of surrendering weapons requires a careful and comprehensive study due to the existence of heavy and medium weaponry, as well as complex technical and organizational details concerning the mechanisms of handover and the handling of armed factions, whether those operating within the Popular Mobilization Forces or outside them.”
He added “Among the issues that require clear resolution is determining the future of these factions and whether their members can be integrated into the armed forces or the security institutions affiliated with the Ministries of Interior and Defense.”
He further noted that “The state must demonstrate genuine commitment to implementing this policy in light of the regional changes and circumstances currently taking place, enabling Iraq to fulfill its role at both the Arab and international levels.”
Khalaf emphasized that “Building a strong and respected state requires respect for its institutions and the enforcement of the rule of law.”
He pointed out that the process of collecting and surrendering weapons is particularly complex, especially after two factions considered among the most powerful armed groups reportedly announced their refusal to hand over their weapons.
He expressed hope that the initiative would contribute to strengthening Iraq’s standing regionally, within the Arab and Islamic worlds, and internationally, stressing that Iraq deserves such a role.
For his part, legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that restricting weapons to state control requires legal measures in addition to political decisions.
He pointed out that the Iraqi Weapons Law No. 51 of 2017 contains less stringent penalties than the former Weapons Law No. 13 of 1992.
Al-Tamimi explained “The 2017 law classifies unlawful possession of weapons as a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of up to ten million Iraqi dinars. By contrast, the previous law treated it as a felony carrying significantly harsher penalties, which provided a stronger deterrent effect.”
He added “The current law also permits the issuance of licenses for firearms shops.”
He argued that such a provision is not well suited to Iraq’s current circumstances and may contribute to the further proliferation of weapons.
He noted that “some provisions related to the entry of foreigners with weapons require stricter legislative review,” explaining that “among the proposed solutions to address the weapons issue are voluntary weapons surrender campaigns in exchange for financial compensation for a limited period, followed by inspection and intelligence measures against those who fail to comply with surrender requirements, in addition to special legislation or decisions aimed at confiscating weapons from non-official entities.”
He also pointed to the possibility of adopting the concept of “weapons-free cities,” meaning areas free from armed manifestations and security violations, emphasizing that achieving this goal requires a combination of legal, security, and political measures.
In the same context, security and military expert Muhammad Ghassoub affirmed that the outcomes of the recent meeting of the Coordination Framework regarding restricting weapons to the state and limiting the authority over war and peace to official institutions represent clear support for the program of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi aimed at strengthening state authority and ending manifestations of weapons outside its control.
Ghassoub told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) “The meeting also emphasized the importance of separating the Popular Mobilization Authority from political and partisan frameworks, in line with the state’s orientation toward regulating the security file and consolidating the principle of exclusive state control over weapons.”
He added that “These positions came after the announcement by the leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, of his support for integrating the Peace Brigades into state institutions under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in addition to similar positions expressed by some other factions in support of the project to restrict weapons to the state.”
He pointed out that “The issue still faces challenges related to the positions of some factions that refuse to surrender their weapons, which requires broad political support and clear executive measures to ensure the success of the project.”
He further explained that “The next phase requires establishing mechanisms for weapon collection, identifying the receiving authorities, and defining the types of weapons included in government procedures, in a way that achieves security objectives and maintains internal stability.”
Ghassoub concluded that “The success of the project to restrict weapons to the state requires national consensus and support from influential political forces, while avoiding any escalation that could affect security and stability,” stressing the importance of addressing the issue within constitutional and legal frameworks.