Iraq to continue disarmament talks with armed groups after September 30 — Asharq Al-Awsat
In Iraq, implementation of a plan to establish the state’s monopoly on weapons is to begin after the international coalition’s mission against the Islamic State group ends by September 30. Authorities are also continuing talks with armed groups on laying down their weapons, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Withdrawal of coalition forces
Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said that September 30 is the final deadline for completing the coalition’s mission and withdrawing the remaining foreign troops from the country. According to him, the withdrawal process is accelerating, and foreign forces have demonstrated their readiness to meet the established deadline.
The Islamic State group has suffered a military defeat in Iraq, al-Numan said, although its cells and remnants are still active in the country. He added that the Iraqi armed forces are on the highest alert to counter and destroy these groups.
Dialogue on weapons
According to the spokesperson, dialogue with armed groups on laying down their weapons is continuing, but implementation of the plan will begin after the coalition’s mission in Iraq is completed. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi identified establishing the state’s monopoly on weapons as one of the government’s priorities. In June, he said that after the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the need for the continued existence of “resistance forces” would disappear.
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Security expert Hussein Allawi told the publication that negotiations between the government and the groups have moved to the second stage. According to him, a committee was formed to facilitate dialogue and reach a common position on “settling the weapons issue.”
Allawi believes that after September 30, the government will focus on development, reconstruction, investment, economic reforms, and strengthening security. Taleb Karim, a professor at Al-Mustansiriyah University, said that the plan’s success would depend not only on its existence but also on the state’s ability to unify security decision-making and prevent Iraq from being used as an arena for conflicts involving other countries.
Al-Numan also reported coordination between the federal authorities in Baghdad and the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan. This week, a security meeting was held with the participation of leaders of the Peshmerga forces, resulting in the formulation of urgent recommendations for implementation, including on security at border crossings.
