Security Expert Links U.S. Withdrawal to Iraq Weapons Control

Security expert Sadiq Abdullah said June 3, 2026, that consolidating weapons under state control in Iraq is a complex and sensitive issue. He noted that some armed groups' willingness to surrender their weapons is linked to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, describing the pullout as a significant guarantee for the process. Abdullah cited the decision by Saraya al-Salam, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Kataib Imam Ali to sever ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces as concrete evidence of support for the state weapons-monopoly project. He emphasized that the government cannot afford to ignore this matter, as consolidating weapons under state control serves everyone's interest. The government and political forces maintain direct communication channels with armed groups, Abdullah said. Through these channels, Iraq can achieve outcomes necessary for the country's security and stability.