Iraqi PM to NYT: Weapons Surrendering Process Will End by June 2027

Iraqi PM's Media Office

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pledged on Monday to complete the disarmament of armed factions by 30 June 2027, outlining an initial 90-day period before the handover of weapons begins.

In an interview with The New York Times, Al-Zaidi said the plan would proceed in stages and would be central to Iraq’s management of its relations with the United States and Iran amid the war between the two countries.

“The disarmament plan is not optional. It is a necessity,” he said. “Others talked about this and then backed down. They yielded to pressure or other fears. For me, this issue, along with corruption, is a matter of honour.”

Al-Zaidi said the first phase would last 90 days, during which armed factions would “refrain from attacks” and US forces “would not strike them.” The factions would then begin surrendering their weapons, with the process due to conclude by 30 June  2027.

Al-Zaidi's remarks come as Iraq approaches 30 September, a date previously set by the State Administration Coalition for ending armed activity outside state institutions.

At a meeting on 5 August, the coalition, which brings together Iraq's main Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, backed efforts to bring weapons under state control. It also said groups that threaten national security while operating outside official institutions would be treated as outlawed.

The 30 September deadline also coincides with the scheduled end of the US-led Global Coalition's military mission in Iraq. Several armed factions have linked decisions over the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

Al-Zaidi also said during the interview that Iraq had lost about $60 billion in revenue since the Iran-US war began and that Iran had not allowed Iraqi tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.



PUKMEDIA