Iraqi PM: Five factions agreed to disarm, three have handed over weapons

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced on Monday that five factions have agreed to hand over their weapons, with three of them already completing the process. Talks are ongoing with the remaining two factions, marking the latest step in the government’s efforts to ensure all arms are under state control.

Al-Zaidi made the announcement while meeting with tribal leaders and elders, stressing that the government is committed to strengthening state authority and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine or threaten it, according to a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office.

The prime minister emphasized that unity and preserving Iraq’s history require decisions to be made independently, adding that the government is working to shield the country from the consequences of regional conflicts and that achieving stability for society and citizens is its main goal.

On the issue of arms, Al-Zaidi linked Iraqi economic reform to attracting foreign investment and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraq. He said the government has held talks with Turkey on several issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish troops from positions inside Iraqi territory.

Baghdad has been working for months to bring all weapons under state control and subject arms to official oversight. In August, Al-Zaidi directed the drafting of a law to this effect in line with constitutional frameworks, arguing that uncontrolled weapons undermine the rule of law and weaken security institutions.

In September, the government announced a plan to complete the process of bringing factional arms under state control by mid-2027. Al-Zaidi said armed groups would begin surrendering their weapons according to a timetable ending on June 30, 2027.

As part of these efforts, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior established a database in August containing information on about six million firearms, aiming to register weapons and strengthen oversight of their possession and use. The Security Media Cell confirmed at the time that the disarmament process does not target any specific faction, group, or community.