Iraqi government spokesperson Haider Al-Aboudi has affirmed the administration's commitment to implementing a program to limit weapons possession to the state and enforce the rule of law. He emphasized that September 30 marks a critical date to initiate the gradual process of weapon control.
In an interview with 'Al Arabiya / Al Hadath,' Al-Aboudi noted that the government agenda explicitly includes weapon regulation and law enforcement, a path reaffirmed by the Prime Minister during his visit to Washington. He added that the justifications for armed factions to carry weapons would cease after September 30.
Al-Aboudi further stated that regulating weapons signifies a natural return to constitutional state authority, with power resting solely with the state and its institutions. He denied any agreements to exempt any faction from the weapon regulation measures.
He explained that the government is currently engaged in 'positive dialogue with factions' to devise an executable plan for weapon regulation, expecting outcomes in this domain before September 30.
Aboudi stressed that weapon control is a sovereign internal affair, with discussions occurring exclusively within Iraq, not with external or non-Iraqi parties. He assured that the government is persisting with the weapon regulation procedures to complete national sovereignty.
Moreover, he indicated Baghdad's interest in transforming relations with the international coalition into strategic cooperation.
Negotiations with 5 Factions
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi is conducting negotiations with five armed factions, namely, 'Harakat Hezbollah Al-Nujaba, Kataeb Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Kataib Hezbollah Al-Iraqi, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, and Ashab Al-Kahf,' to surrender their weapons.
Previously, three major armed factions in the country, ‘Saraya Al-Salam’ led by Muqtada al-Sadr, ‘Asaib Ahl al-Haq,’ and ‘Kataib Imam Ali’ led by Shibl al-Zaidi, have handed over their weapons to the state and announced their commitment to civil engagement.