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World
Iraq's Defense Ministry announced receiving substantial militia weapons as part of state disarmament efforts, with no fixed timeline for completion.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense reported on Saturday the receipt of large quantities of weapons as part of the ongoing process to consolidate arms under state control. However, the ministry emphasized that there is no established deadline for completing this file in its entirety.
According to the official Iraqi News Agency "WAFA," Major General Pilot Tahseen Al-Khafaji, Director of Media and Moral Guidance at the ministry, stated that the file concerning the consolidation of weapons under state authority "has gained a very important start" following direct orders from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, supported by state institutions and Iraqi law.
Al-Khafaji explained that the operation, led by the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, began in the city of Samarra and involved the collection of a significant number of weapons. This step is part of efforts aimed at regulating and consolidating arms under state control.
He further described the process of transition and integration as "complex and important," requiring legal and organizational frameworks as well as the provision of job grades, given the involvement of heavy weapons, equipment, personnel, salaries, and employment entitlements.
Al-Khafaji noted that the committee responsible for this task includes representatives from military and legal institutions. Among them are the personal secretary, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration responsible for job grades, legal advisors from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, and legal directors from security agencies.
He confirmed that the implementation steps have already begun, relying on approved laws and regulations for receiving weapons. He also affirmed that "work on this file is ongoing and there is no specific time limit set for its completion."
Official data indicate that the government committee is expected to establish appropriate mechanisms to implement the procedures for disarmament and consolidation of weapons under state control within a short period. Meanwhile, the government asserts that this new approach aligns with efforts to strengthen state authority and reinforce security stability.
Following his swearing-in in March, Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi pledged to consolidate weapons under state control and "strengthen state authority, support stability, and solidify the project of a capable Iraqi state that meets the aspirations of its citizens."
These developments occur amid regional issues that have significantly impacted Iraq, especially after the wars that the region has witnessed in recent years. These conflicts have contributed to a decline in the influence of Iran and its allied militias within Iraq.
