Baghdad: The head of the Security Media Cell, Lieutenant General Saad Maan, confirmed on Saturday that the decision to restrict weapons to the state includes entities not affiliated with security institutions, while noting that the Popular Mobilization Forces are part of the security apparatus.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Maan stated, ‘The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are part of the Iraqi armed forces, and their members are subject to applicable military laws.’ He emphasized that the decision to restrict weapons to the state targets entities operating outside the framework of state security institutions.

Maan pointed out that ‘the entities subject to the weapons restriction are those outside the framework of state security institutions,’ explaining that ‘the PMF is part of the Iraqi armed forces, and according to Law No. 40 of 2016, all its members are subject to applicable military laws.’

He added that ‘the decision to restrict weapons to the state is intended to ensure that there is no parallel or other leadership using weapons outside the framework of the state,’ stressing that ‘the PMF is part of the security apparatus.’