Three Shia militias in Baghdad continue handing over weapons, military says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Three Shia militias in Baghdad and other cities are continuing to hand over unregistered weapons, Iraqi Security Media Cell head Lt. Gen. Saad Maan said on Thursday. The groups are Saraya al-Salam, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Imam Ali Battalions, Maan said, adding that weapons would be collected from other parties in the coming days. More than 580,000 pieces of weaponry have been collected nationwide, Maan said, with a significant portion coming from the three militias. Around 6,000 weapons are being registered each week across the country, according to the general. Maan said the disarmament effort is proceeding with the strong support of Prime Minister Abdul Fattah al-Sudani and the Interior Ministry. The national committee overseeing the process has expanded to 848 offices, he said, including three new offices in border settlements where registration has now begun for residents living near frontier areas.