Expert Says U.S. Withdrawal Could Bolster State Control Over Weapons in Iraq

Security expert Sadiq Abdullah said Wednesday that the planned U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq could reinforce efforts to consolidate weapons under state control, easing long-standing concerns about armed groups operating outside government authority. Abdullah described the issue as one of the most complex and sensitive files in Iraq for years, with successive governments prioritizing the centralization of security decision-making under state authority. He pointed to the decisions by Seraya al-Salam, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Imam Ali Brigades to separate from structures within the Popular Mobilization Forces as examples aligning with this approach. The status of remaining armed groups varies, Abdullah said, and the implementation of the U.S. troop withdrawal decision would clarify the overall picture. Government and political forces are conducting direct negotiations with armed groups aimed at strengthening security and stability, he added. No further details on the timeline or specifics of the ongoing discussions were immediately available.