Expert: US withdrawal would strengthen state control of weapons in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Security expert Sadiq Abdullah said on Wednesday that the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq is one of the main factors that could strengthen efforts to keep weapons under state control. Abdullah said the move would ease concerns and build confidence around a longstanding file aimed at concentrating security and military decision-making in the hands of the state. He said the issue has been on the agenda for years. He added that the endings of the affiliations of Sera al-Salam, then Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Imam Ali Brigades within the Hashd al-Shaabi showed the stance of three Shiite forces that support this goal. Abdullah said the position of the remaining groups is different, but steps to remove US forces would make the picture clearer. He also said the government and political actors are holding direct contacts on the issue.