Three Factions Continue Surrendering Weapons as Total Registered Surpasses 580,000

MTV

Iraqi flag and a security personnel.

The head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Maan, said on Monday that three armed factions continue to surrender unregistered weapons, while the authorities have begun registering weapons held by residents living near border areas.

Maan told the Iraq's state media (INA) that Saraya al-Salam, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali are continuing to hand over unregistered weapons, adding that efforts will continue in the coming days to collect weapons from other groups.

“A large percentage of weapons of various types have been received from these factions,” Maan said.

He added that the National Committee for Supporting the Regulation and Consolidation of Weapons under State Control continues its work with strong support from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the Ministry of Interior.

Maan said around 6,000 weapons are registered each week in Baghdad and other provinces, including unregistered weapons handed over by citizens and tribes. He confirmed that the total number of weapons received so far has exceeded 580,000.

He also said the number of offices operated by the National Committee for Supporting the Regulation and Consolidation of Weapons under State Control had increased from 845 to 848, following the establishment of three additional offices in border areas.

Maan emphasised that the committee has begun registering weapons belonging to residents living near the country’s border areas.

The new Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, has made placing weapons under state control a top priority on its security and political agenda.

30 September has been set as the deadline for armed factions that have resisted relinquishing their weapons, following understandings reached between Iraq's Coordination Framework leaders and al-Zaidi.



PUKMEDIA