Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has urged officials to avoid using the term “disarmament” when discussing efforts to place weapons under state control, arguing that the wording could create a negative psychological and practical reaction among armed factions. His comments come as Iraq weapons control efforts face growing political debate ahead of a September deadline.
The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, has renewed efforts to ensure that all weapons operate under state authority. Officials have set the end of September as a deadline for armed groups to comply with the initiative. The timeline also coincides with the planned withdrawal of the US-led coalition from Iraq.
Several armed factions have indicated that they could cooperate with the government’s plans. However, other powerful groups have rejected calls to describe their weapons as belonging to non-state actors. These factions argue that their membership in the Popular Mobilization Forces places them within Iraq’s official security structure.
Maliki addressed the issue in a promotional video for an upcoming television interview. He argued that officials should instead use terms such as “organizing,” “containing,” or “preserving” weapons. According to Maliki, the terminology could influence how armed groups perceive the government’s intentions and could affect the practical implementation of the process.
Meanwhile, the Shiite Coordination Framework has established a committee to examine how authorities should implement the government’s weapons policy. The committee is working with armed factions to determine which weapons should fall under the proposed arrangements and how authorities should manage them.
Maliki also raised questions over whether the initiative should cover every type of weapon or focus on specific arms considered capable of carrying out attacks inside or outside Iraq. Consequently, the committee will have to establish clearer definitions before the government can fully implement the plan.
The discussions come as political leaders attempt to prevent tensions between Baghdad and powerful armed factions. At the same time, authorities face pressure to strengthen state control over weapons as Iraq prepares for a new security phase following the coalition’s withdrawal.
The committee reportedly includes senior political and security figures, including Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, and Falih al-Fayyadh, who heads the Popular Mobilization Commission. The commission oversees the government framework responsible for integrating Popular Mobilization Forces factions into Iraq’s security institutions.
Therefore, the debate over terminology reflects a broader political challenge facing Iraq weapons control efforts. While the government seeks greater authority over arms, faction leaders want assurances that the process will not undermine their legal status or security role.
Ultimately, the committee’s recommendations could determine how Baghdad proceeds with the initiative. If political leaders reach an agreement with the factions, the government may have a clearer path toward implementing its weapons policy. However, disagreements over terminology, the types of weapons covered, and the authority responsible for enforcement could continue to complicate the process.
For now, Iraq weapons control remains a sensitive issue requiring negotiations between the government, political blocs, and armed factions as the September deadline approaches.
