Nujaba Rejects Iraqi Plan to Bring Weapons Under State Control

NAJAF, Iraq — BAGHDAD — The Nujaba Movement has rejected proposals to place weapons under exclusive state control, with an official saying the move effectively targets resistance fighters and the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shabi). Sheikh Nazim al-Saidi, chairman of the movement's executive council, made the statement Thursday in Najaf. He said any weapon authorization formula must apply a single standard equally to all parties, warning against what he described as attempts to single out resistance weapons. The movement's leader, Ikrema al-Kaabi, separately accused Israel's Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy of inciting conflict over the weapons issue. The Coordination Framework, a Shia political alliance, has granted Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani authority to take necessary decisions on resolving the weapons file. Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has moved to integrate his Saraya al-Salam militia with the state by severing its party affiliation. The Ehl-i Hak Battalions also announced the launch of a weapons and personnel inventory process for integration into state institutions. Officials said 35,000 jobs have been allocated for militia members who agree to surrender their weapons.