Baghdad: The Iraqi government is working to unify security decision-making and place military force under the state’s authority as a single force, a national demand, Head of the Security Media Cell Lieutenant General Saad Maan said on Saturday.
According to Iraqi News Agency, Maan emphasized that the state’s prestige is not built through escalation, but through its ability to enforce the law. He highlighted the role of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as a constitutional and legal institution, serving as a key framework for the movement of military units. Any entity operating outside this framework would be addressed through negotiation channels in the upcoming phase.
Maan also expressed that there is no cause for concern regarding the September 30 deadline, as channels of understanding and constitutional, legal, and administrative mechanisms remain accessible to all parties. He acknowledged the previous sacrifices made in confronting ISIS, stressing that Iraq’s current interests require adherence to the proper legal framework.
He further clarified that decisions on war and peace rest solely with the state, and it is unacceptable to have multiple decision-making bodies or create parallel forces to the official military forces. The country operates under one state, one government, and one law, with respect maintained for all parties involved.
The issue does not pose any major problem apart from negotiations over implementation mechanisms and timelines, contrary to what some media outlets are suggesting. Maan noted that a significant proportion of weapons, particularly those not registered with the PMF, have already been handed over in response to government decisions.
He elaborated on the management, redistribution, and movement of human resources within the PMF’s jurisdiction, indicating ongoing efforts to rename brigades with official government numbers and designations, such as Brigades 30 and 40, to remove political or religious affiliations.
Regarding the control of weapons, Maan reported that the Interior Ministry’s Permanent National Committee for Arms Regulation has recorded a notable increase, with up to 6,000 weapons registered per week. The number of registration offices has also increased with three new offices opened in border areas, totaling 848 offices. Campaigns to register weapons held by citizens and tribes continue, with approximately 580,000 weapons registered to date.
Maan concluded by highlighting the broad parliamentary support for enacting a law to place all arms under state control, as advocated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He noted that the draft law is advancing through administrative and legislative procedures without delay, reinforcing the Iraqi Constitution, the Penal Code, and other supporting legislation.