Iraq sets roadmap to consolidate weapons under state control by end of September

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi government is preparing a new roadmap for the consolidation of weapons under state authority ahead of a September 30, 2026 deadline, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat citing Iraqi sources. Prime Minister Ali Zaidani has set the end of September as the target date for both the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country and the transfer of weapons to state control. Under the plan, the regular army, counterterrorism forces and special units will be deployed around the operational headquarters of armed groups and along the roads leading to those sites. The forces will set up checkpoints in phases to monitor weapons and ammunition movements, with particular focus on drones and missiles. Officials say the aim is to force armed groups either to make mistakes during weapons and ammunition shipments or to hand over their positions to state institutions without resorting to armed action. Iraqi security sources said an initial pilot phase of the plan began at the start of this week. In recent weeks, checkpoints have intercepted drone shipments being routed to various parts of the country. The focus of the plan centers on the Jafr al-Sahr and Jafr al-Nadaf areas south of Baghdad, which security agencies have been monitoring due to their links to weapons and ammunition depots belonging to Iran-backed groups. No further details on the full deployment timeline or the expected number of checkpoints were immediately available.