Iraq PM Orders Draft Law to Place All Weapons Under State Control

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has directed officials to draft new legislation that would consolidate all weapons in the country under exclusive state control. This directive is a significant step in Baghdad's ongoing efforts to assert governmental authority over the myriad of armed groups and security forces operating within Iraq.

The prime minister issued this order during a meeting in Baghdad with Khalid al-Obeidi, the head of parliament’s Security and Defense Committee. The discussions focused on the current security landscape, the effectiveness of Iraq's security agencies in maintaining stability, and strategies to safeguard the nation's borders and airspace against potential threats. Al-Zaidi emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to advance security and governmental development plans.

This initiative builds upon a decision announced earlier, on June 3, by Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of Iraq’s armed forces. At that time, a committee was established with the specific mandate to ensure that weapons are held solely by the state. This committee has reportedly commenced its operations.

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The meeting focused on security developments, efforts by Iraq’s security agencies to maintain stability, and measures to protect the country’s borders and airspace from various threats.

The issue of weapon control is particularly complex in Iraq, a nation where numerous armed factions, including groups affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other independent entities, are active. The government's objective is to establish a state monopoly on weapon possession and usage, thereby strengthening official security institutions and mitigating the risk of regional conflicts spilling into Iraqi territory.

Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi stated that discussions are ongoing to address any obstacles to this plan, reaffirming the government's commitment to achieving exclusive state control over the use of force. The process is reportedly on track for completion by the end of September. The push for stricter weapon control occurs against a backdrop of persistent security challenges, as evidenced by a recent incident where three Iraqi soldiers were wounded by an improvised explosive device detonation near an army vehicle south of Kirkuk.

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The government remains committed to establishing the state’s exclusive control over the use of force according to an existing timeline, with the process expected to be completed by the end of September.