Iraq will begin gradually bringing Iraq weapons under state control after September 30, following the international coalition’s scheduled departure. The government plans to manage the process through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji described the initiative as a strategic Iraqi decision. He stressed that Baghdad alone would oversee the process without foreign intervention.
Speaking about the upcoming phase, Araji said authorities would gradually restrict weapons exclusively to state institutions. He also emphasized that political forces broadly agree on this principle.
According to Araji, decisions regarding war and peace must remain exclusively in the hands of the Iraqi state. Furthermore, he said weapons currently held by armed factions should ultimately strengthen official institutions.
The government has made weapons control a central security priority as the September deadline approaches. Baghdad had previously identified September 30 as the target for armed factions to surrender their weapons.
Meanwhile, Araji said the government continues efforts to separate political parties from Popular Mobilization Forces brigades. He added that ongoing discussions have produced positive results and helped strengthen trust.
However, Baghdad still faces resistance from some armed factions. Several Iran-aligned groups have linked disarmament to the complete withdrawal of American and other foreign forces.
Kata’ib Hezbollah has also raised additional demands regarding Turkish troops in northern Iraq. The group further called for the dissolution of the Peshmerga forces before meeting Baghdad’s disarmament requirements.
Nevertheless, Araji stressed that armed confrontation remains a red line for the Iraqi government. Instead, Baghdad intends to use negotiations and dialogue throughout the transition.
He also said the government would protect the rights of Popular Mobilization Forces fighters during the process. The PMF emerged in 2014 during Iraq’s fight against ISIS.
Iraq later incorporated the umbrella organization into its national security structure. However, some factions retained separate political and military structures.
Those networks have complicated efforts to establish complete state authority over armed forces. Therefore, officials hope the new process will gradually bring Iraq weapons under state control.
Araji also acknowledged that some terrorist pockets remain despite Iraq’s military victory against ISIS. Security authorities continue monitoring these threats across the country.
Meanwhile, Araji commented on Iraq’s political future and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. He said al-Zaidi would not seek a second term.
Araji described the prime minister as the right leader for Iraq’s current phase. He also rejected claims that foreign powers influenced the weapons initiative.
Meanwhile, Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan recently highlighted progress in registering privately owned weapons. Authorities currently register approximately 6,000 weapons every week.
More than 580,000 privately owned weapons have already entered official records. However, significant quantities remain outside government registration systems.
As September 30 approaches, Baghdad faces increasing pressure to turn its commitments into practical results. The government’s ultimate goal remains achieving Iraq weapons under state control through dialogue, cooperation, and stronger institutions.
