Al-Zaidi marks Mosul fall anniversary, reaffirms push for putting weapons in state control

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi issued a statement on Wednesday marking the anniversary of ISIS’s takeover of Mosul in 2014, reaffirming Iraq’s national unity and territorial integrity and pledging to continue efforts to restrict weapons to state control.

The statement, published by the prime minister office, emphasized that Iraq is a nation that cannot be broken, stating that national unity, the sacrifices of the armed forces in all their branches, and the religious edict (fatwa) together brought about the liberation campaign that defeated terrorism.

Al-Zaidi acknowledged role of those who participated in the defeating ISIS campaigns. “The heroism of the Armed Forces, security agencies, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the Peshmerga joined with the sacrifices of Iraqis, supported by brotherly and friendly nations, to write an enduring national epic that culminated in the liberation of the land and the defeat of terrorism.”

The future of weapons held by factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces has become a major point of political debate, as discussions continue over integrating armed groups into state security forces and restrictingl weapons to state control. While groups like Asaib Ahl al-Haq have expressed willingness to comply with recent integration initiative, other factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, have signaled resistance to hand over their weapons.

In his statement, al-Zaidi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the capabilities of Iraq’s security forces and continuing efforts to restrict weapons to state control.

ISIS took over Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, on June 10, 2014 following rapid collapse of Iraqi Security Forces. Later in 2017, the city and its surrounding areas were recaptured during a military campaign involving the Iraqi Security Forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and the U.S.-led international coalition