The Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al Zaidi, reported this Thursday that the schedule to complete the disarmament of armed groups operating in the country, including numerous militias aligned with Iran, will be extended until June 30, 2027. Initially, the deadline had been set for September 30, coinciding with the completion of the deployment of the coalition led by the United States against the Islamic State.
"October 1, 2026 marks the beginning of a serious process to address the issue of weapons outside state control and to fulfill constitutional obligations, according to a clear roadmap and agreed deadlines that extend until June 30, 2027, at the latest," he stated, according to a statement released by his office on social media.
Al Zaidi defended that this October 1 constitutes "a historic day" for "the great national achievement that represents the conclusion of the mission of the international coalition," including its "complete and definitive withdrawal" of foreign forces. He also emphasized that "achieving full sovereignty is a great achievement of which all Iraqis are proud."
The head of government has highlighted that this result has been possible thanks to the involvement of society, security forces, and other armed factions, which "played a key role in initiating the confrontation against the Islamic State." "These forces fulfilled their mission throughout each difficult stage that our beloved nation went through," the Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized.
In this regard, he insisted that the disarmament plan for these groups "will defend the constitutional principle that decisions on war and peace correspond to constitutional authorities and that any military action outside this framework is prohibited," while reiterating that Baghdad will work "to achieve the complete disarmament of all non-Iraqi armed groups present in Iraqi territory."
"The Iraqi government reaffirms its constitutional commitment to prevent the territory and airspace of Iraq from being used as a starting point or transit route for any action that threatens the security of neighboring countries," he reiterated, in line with its stance of keeping the country away from any regional escalation, in a context marked by the war triggered by the offensive launched in February by the United States and Israel against Iran.
In this context, he has stated that the country "looks towards a new stage" that involves leaving behind the warlike dynamic to "achieve full national sovereignty, strengthen civil peace, stability and prosperity, and direct the capabilities and resources of the State towards sustainable development, improving the lives of citizens, providing essential services and building a safe and stable future for generations to come."