Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has issued a directive to draft legislation aimed at ensuring that all weapons in the country remain exclusively under state control. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, the Prime Minister has ordered the bill to be prepared in strict accordance with constitutional procedures.
Al-Zaidi emphasized that uncontrolled weaponry represents one of the most significant threats to the Iraqi state. According to the Prime Minister, the proliferation of arms outside of state authority undermines the rule of law and damages the credibility of national security institutions. He stressed the necessity of strengthening the state's position to ensure domestic stability, which is intrinsically linked to economic, political, and security prosperity.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for increased coordination between executive and legislative branches. He noted that establishing a robust legal framework is essential for the government's development plans and for reinforcing long-term stability. Previously, on June 3, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Armed Forces Command, Sabah al-Numan, announced the formation of a committee tasked with overseeing the transition of weapons to state control.
For years, the presence of armed groups operating outside of official state structures has been a primary security and political challenge in Iraq. While some of these factions operate under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi), others function independently. The Iraqi government is currently intensifying efforts to assert a state monopoly on force to mitigate internal instability and prevent the spillover of regional tensions. The administration aims to complete the process of disarming these groups and consolidating state control over weaponry by the end of September, a timeline that coincides with the planned conclusion of the international coalition's mission in Iraq.
