Baghdad-INA
Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that clear progress and tangible successes had been achieved in efforts to restrict weapons possession to state institutions, noting that no specific timeframe has been set for completing the process.
Maj. Gen. Tahseen Al-Khafaji, Director of Media and Moral Guidance at the ministry, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the issue of restricting arms to state control is one of the government's key priorities.
He described the initiative as a major achievement for Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who has consistently emphasized the need to ensure that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the state.
He said, "We are moving toward a more stable society, attracting investment projects and strengthening the confidence of the international community."
Al-Khafaji noted that the strong willingness shown by the relevant parties, the significant success and broad engagement by those working on the issue, as well as by entities seeking to cooperate with the government, particularly following the substantial work carried out by the committee responsible for the arms-control file, provide clear indications of the project's success.
He added that although the issue is difficult and complex, the committee has established clear mechanisms for implementation, handling, receipt, handover and distribution.
"The committee is a large one, headed by the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations and Military Secretary to the Prime Minister, and includes legal advisers from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, in addition to administrative personnel," he said.
He said there is no fixed deadline for completing the process of restricting arms to state control, as this provides greater flexibility in implementation.
Al-Khafaji explained that the initiative comprises two main components: an administrative component and a military component.
He said the administrative component is further divided into a section dealing with job grades, pensions and salaries, and a legal section covering mechanisms for implementation and engagement, the allocation of positions in accordance with the law, and the distribution of personnel according to the quotas and designations specified by the Ministries of Defense and Interior and other formations.
He added that the military component has been divided into three stages. The first concerns light weapons, which can be addressed through multiple channels. Medium weapons may be allocated to more than one entity, while heavy weapons fall exclusively under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense as the authority competent for such weaponry, as well as the Ministry of Interior due to its oversight of the Federal Police, Rapid Response Forces and Emergency Regiments.
Al-Khafaji said that the assessment process and the commencement of implementation are highly important, noting that significant progress has already been achieved in this area. He added that one of the clearest indicators of success is the high level of participation and strong support the process has received from the state and from parties encouraging its implementation.
He said that when discussing the military component, the focus is on weapons and heavy equipment that require specialized storage facilities and clear handover and receipt procedures, as well as qualified technicians and specialists to handle them.
Al-Khafaji explained that experts, legal advisers and relevant commanders determine the mechanisms for receiving such weapons, as well as the procedures for their eventual distribution. He said some weapons are transferred to Ministry of Defense depots, while others are suited to the operational needs of the Ministry of Interior. Certain weapons, he added, may also be assigned to other entities operating under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He noted that the committees are carrying out extensive work and thorough reviews in this area, stressing that one of their key priorities is ensuring that all handover and receipt procedures are conducted in accordance with the legal framework.
