Iraqi PM Orders Draft Law to Place Weapons Under State Control

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Tuesday ordered the preparation of a draft law aimed at placing all weapons under state control, warning that unauthorized arms pose the greatest threat to the state by undermining the rule of law and weakening the authority of security institutions.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office media department, al-Zaidi chaired a meeting on Iraq’s security operations and the overall security situation, including efforts by security agencies to maintain stability and protect the country’s borders and airspace amid heightened regional tensions.

During the meeting, the prime minister instructed officials to prepare a draft law to restrict weapons to state control in accordance with constitutional procedures.

“The most dangerous threat to the state is unauthorized weapons that operate outside the law, because they undermine the authority of the law and diminish the standing of security institutions,” al-Zaidi said.

He stressed the need to strengthen Iraq’s sovereignty, constitutional institutions, and state authority while enhancing the capabilities of the country’s military institutions to safeguard internal stability.

Al-Zaidi also emphasized greater coordination between the executive and legislative branches to pass legislation and establish the legal framework needed to implement the government’s development programs. He called for regular meetings with the parliament's Security and Defense Committee.

The move comes as Baghdad seeks to consolidate state control over weapons and armed forces, a longstanding issue involving Iran-aligned factions and other armed groups operating alongside Iraq’s official security institutions.

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said Monday that all government and security institutions must remain under state authority and that no party should control weapons outside the framework of the state.

Al-Aboudi called on armed groups operating outside Iraq’s official security forces to return under state control, saying the process requires a “deep and comprehensive dialogue.” He said there is a high level of understanding between the government and armed groups and that Baghdad remains committed to advancing and monitoring the process.

On the withdrawal of foreign forces, al-Aboudi said the September deadline for the withdrawal of US forces must be respected. He said US forces would transfer their responsibilities to the Iraqi army and hand over their weapons as part of the process.

The government has increasingly emphasized strengthening state institutions and maintaining national sovereignty as Iraq navigates heightened regional tensions, while balancing its security relationship with Washington and its ties with armed factions operating inside the country.