Hikmet says arms restriction targets no party, backs Sudani government

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikmat National Stream, said the issue of restricting weapons does not target any side and reiterated his bloc's support for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's government. Speaking at the Husseini central gathering in Baghdad, Hakim said the Coordination Framework decided to back the Sudani government and that economic reforms have been made a priority. Hakim argued that while protecting the country from collapse was the previous priority, completing the building of the state and consolidating its strength and stability is the focus now. He said state power can only be achieved through a single decision-making authority and a single armed force, and that restricting weapons is not aimed at anyone and does not diminish past sacrifices. He described arms restriction as one of the building blocks of a stable and strong state. Hakim also said the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are a single military formation affiliated with state institutions, enjoy legal protection and national importance, and that their role and sacrifices will not be compromised under any circumstances.