Sudani links weapons control push to ending coalition mission

BAGHDAD — Former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday linked the Coordination Framework’s support for restricting weapons to state control to what he described as his government’s achievement in ending the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, calling it a key step toward eliminating weapons outside state authority.

In a post on X, Sudani renewed his support for efforts to strengthen state authority and praised recent initiatives by political forces to place weapons under government control. “We renew our support for the responsible national position expressed by the Coordination Framework, in its affirmation of the importance of restricting weapons to the hands of the state, as a constitutional principle that has long been emphasized by the supreme religious authority, and as a foundation for consolidating security and stability and protecting Iraq’s supreme interests,” he said.

He added that “experience has proven that the strength and prestige of the state are enhanced through preserving sovereignty,” citing the end of the coalition’s mission as “a key entry point to ending the state of weapons outside the framework of the state.” The international coalition was established in 2014 to support Iraq’s campaign against the Islamic State after the group seized large areas of Iraqi territory. Baghdad and Washington later agreed on a phased transition ending the coalition’s military mission and replacing it with bilateral security cooperation focused on training, advising and capacity-building.

Sudani said he stands “firmly in support of the current government’s steps in this file” and praised national forces that have moved to affirm the state’s monopoly over decisions of war and peace.

His remarks came hours after Asaib Ahl al-Haq announced the formation of a central committee headed by Jawad al-Talibawi to complete procedures for separating the movement from PMF formations and placing its weapons under state control, citing the call of the supreme religious authority and the Coordination Framework’s position.

Late Monday, the Coordination Framework announced its support for weapons restriction and PMF separation from political affiliations, authorizing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to take the decisions needed to implement the policy. The developments follow cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s announcement on May 27 to separate Saraya al-Salam from his movement and place it under state authority, with Sadr expressing hope other factions would “separate themselves from partisan and sectarian orders.”

A source told 964media that al-Zaidi visited Najaf on May 30 and held discussions with Sadr that included the future of Saraya al-Salam and its integration into the armed forces.