Prime Minister decides to restrict weapons and marks coalition withdrawal

Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi set Thursday, June 30, 2027, as the final deadline to address the issue of weapons outside state control. Al-Zaidi said in a statement, We congratulate the Iraqi people on this great day, October 1, 2026, and the major national achievement of the end of the international coalition mission in Iraq, and the complete and final withdrawal of its forces by land, air and sea, achieving full and comprehensive Iraqi sovereignty. He explained that achieving comprehensive national sovereignty is a great national achievement that all Iraqis are proud of, which was achieved thanks to Almighty God and the prominent and important role of the Supreme Religious Authority, which mobilized zealous Iraqis to defend their country in the fatwa of sufficient jihad, which was carried by our loyal masses and active forces of the Iraqi people, and they formed the core of confrontation from the sincere and factions that had a role in launching the confrontation against ISIS, side by side with all the armed forces, and these entities played their role in all the difficult stations that our dear homeland went through. He pointed out that October 1, 2026, is considered a serious beginning to address the issue of weapons outside state control, and commitment to constitutional entitlements, according to a clear roadmap and agreed-upon timetables not exceeding June 30, 2027, and in accordance with the constitutional principle stipulating that the decision of war and peace be left to the constitutional authorities, and preventing any military action contrary to that, pointing out that the government will work, in accordance with the constitution, to completely disarm all non-Iraqi armed groups present on Iraqi territory, in a way that preserves the country security, stability and controls its borders. He continued that the Iraqi government affirms its constitutional commitment to prevent the use of Iraqi land and airspace as a starting point or corridor for any action that threatens the security of neighboring countries, and also rejects the use of any country land or airspace to attack Iraq, based on the principles of mutual sovereignty, good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs, pointing out that the government will initiate support for security institutions by purchasing a complete air defense system, to enhance the full air sovereignty of the Iraqi state, and legislate the Popular Mobilization Law and establish its position in the security system, as an integral part of it under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He stressed that as Iraq ends this long phase of wars, confronting terrorism and violating national sovereignty and the massive sacrifices that accompanied it, paid from the pure and precious blood of Iraqis, Iraq looks forward to a new phase to achieve full national sovereignty, enhance civil peace, stability and prosperity, direct the state capabilities and resources towards sustainable development, improve the lives of citizens, provide necessary services, and build a safe and stable future for future generations. He emphasized that October 1 represents the beginning of a new phase in Iraq journey, a fully sovereign state, strong in its institutions, governed by the constitution, the law and the principles of international law, and open to its regional and international surroundings with balanced relations based on common interests and mutual respect.