Sudani warns militia arms dispute could become ‘internal fighting’

BAGHDAD — Former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warned that disagreement over the government’s weapons policy could lead to “internal fighting,” calling for weapons and the decision to use them to rest exclusively with the state and for a broad national dialogue to get there.

“Restricting weapons to the state is not a project to exclude anyone, nor should it be an entry point for confrontation or conflict,” Sudani said. “Rather, it is a requirement for building a strong state capable of protecting all its people, safeguarding their security and rights, and preventing Iraq from being used as an arena for the conflicts of others.” He said the talks should be held “away from the language of threats, accusations of treason and escalation, and from inflammatory rhetoric and statements that are exploited by Iraq’s enemies.”

“Iraqis, including those who still retain weapons, have paid a heavy price to restore security and stability,” he said. “It is unacceptable to allow any disagreement or any regional circumstance to return us to internal conflict.” Major issues are not settled “through the logic of domination, but through wisdom, understanding and prioritizing the national interest,” he said.

Sudani said the coalition mission’s end rested on understandings reached during his own time as prime minister, and formed part of restoring Iraqi sovereignty over its territory and airspace.

His statement followed a warning from Kataib Hezbollah security official Abu Mujahid al-Assaf that the group’s patience was running out, and came the same day Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri called for restraint on all sides. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has set Sept. 30 as the date for bringing all weapons under state control.