Kataib Hezbollah Backs State Monopoly on Arms and Weapons Handover

Kataib Hezbollah, a prominent faction within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), has formally declared its support for consolidating all weaponry under state control. Security official Abu Mujihaz al-Asaf stated on Friday that the group is prepared to provide the necessary coordination and logistical support to facilitate the transfer of arms to government authorities. Asaf indicated that the group is ready to oversee the handover of advanced military hardware, including drones and guided missiles, to the Iraqi state security apparatus. He characterized the transition of armed resistance as a collective responsibility, noting that the group intends to fill any security gaps left by those relinquishing their arms. This policy shift follows the recent announcement by Muqtada al-Sadr, who ordered the dissolution of his Saraya al-Salam militia and the transfer of its weapons to the state. The move aligns with the broader objectives of the Iraqi government to centralize military authority and bring all armed groups under a formal, legal framework. The Iraqi government has prioritized the establishment of a state monopoly on weapons as a core component of its current administrative program. These efforts aim to stabilize the security landscape by integrating paramilitary activities into official state structures.