Sadr gives armed wing one week to join Iraqi government institutions

Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has issued a directive for his armed wing, Saraya al-Salam, to complete its separation from the movement and integrate into state institutions within a week. This decision comes amid increasing regional and international pressure on Iraq's new government to consolidate control over armed groups.

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an important path toward strengthening internal stability and consolidating the principle of restricting weapons to the state.

Sadr announced the merger of Saraya al-Salam into state structures on Wednesday and called on other Popular Mobilization Forces factions to hand over their weapons. A document from Sadr's office detailed the assignment of commanders to oversee the separation and integration process, with a full handover expected by June 5. The civilian aspects of the movement are to be folded into the charitable institution Al-Bunyan al-Marsous.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi welcomed Sadr's initiative, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening internal stability and reinforcing the principle of state control over weapons. He urged all factions to operate under the umbrella of state institutions, emphasizing the state's sole authority to bear arms and enforce laws. This is not the first time Sadr has announced the dismantling of his armed wing, having made similar declarations in 2017 and 2019.

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Asaib supports restricting weapons to the state, provided the state can protect Iraq’s security by land, air and sea from various threats.

Other influential factions have responded to Sadr's call. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais al-Khazali, stated its belief in state authority and the restriction of weapons to government control, rejecting any uncontrolled arms. Khaled al-Saadi, a member of Asaib's political bureau, noted that their support for restricting weapons is contingent on the state's ability to protect Iraq's security. Kazem al-Fartousi, a spokesman for Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, affirmed his faction's firm stance on handing over weapons, but indicated that "resistance weapons" would be retained as long as certain conditions are met.

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a resistance that does not have an integrated project for construction and development may, over time, become a burden on society.