Sadr Hands over Saraya al-Salam to Iraqi Govt as PMF to Be ‘Restructured’

The military wing of Iraq's Sadrist movement, Saraya al-Salam, has symbolically transferred its security responsibilities in Samarra to the Iraqi army. The ceremony, which saw the faction's flag lowered at its headquarters, marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape. This move aligns with a broader initiative to restructure the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of paramilitary groups, and integrate them more fully under state control.

Saad Maan, head of the Security Media Cell, announced that all Saraya al-Salam fighters are now under the direct command of the prime minister, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The brigades, identified as 313, 314, and 315 within the PMF, have been responsible for security in Samarra since 2007. It remains uncertain if the fighters will relocate from the city after nearly two decades of presence.

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A committee had been formed by government order to relink and redistribute armed formations so they move away from any other political title or formation.

Observers note that while the handover is a symbolic step, the practicalities of dismantling armed factions and disarming their members are still ambiguous. Key questions persist regarding the types and quantities of weapons held by these groups, whether they will be surrendered to the government, and if disarmament will be complete. An Iraqi security official indicated to AFP that the mechanism for bringing all weapons under state control is unclear.

Reports suggest a potential initiative from the Coordination Framework, a political bloc, to address these issues. This proposal reportedly includes offering tens of thousands of government jobs in official security institutions to individuals from armed factions that agree to disengage. However, the ultimate success of these restructuring efforts hinges on the clarity and implementation of these details, particularly concerning weapon control and the integration of former fighters.

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the mechanism for placing all weapons under state control “remains unclear,”