Iraq declares “war” on armed groups outside the state
On Wednesday evening, the State Administration Coalition declared that entities engaging in behavior that threatens the country’s security outside the framework of official institutions are “outlaws and must be fought,” and warned that any armed activity after September 30, 2026, will be subject to the provisions of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Dailynews reports
This came during the 37th periodic meeting of the coalition, which was held at the Government Palace in the presence of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, along with the leaders of the forces affiliated with the coalition.
The State Administration Coalition was established on September 25, 2022, as a political umbrella that brought together the Coordination Framework, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Sovereignty and Determination Alliances, and the Babylon Movement.
The coalition paved the way for the formation of the government headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in October of the same year, before it turned into a coordinating framework for the forces participating in running the country, holding periodic meetings to discuss political, security and economic issues and to follow up on the implementation of agreements and the government program.
The coalition said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting discussed the political, security, economic and service conditions in the country, in addition to regional developments and their repercussions on Iraq.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed efforts to enhance security and stability, improve services, and implement the ministerial program, as well as government measures to address economic and financial challenges, stressing that the interests of citizens are at the forefront of priorities.
The attendees affirmed their support for efforts to maintain security and stability and to restrict weapons to the state in accordance with the ministerial program that was voted on by the House of Representatives and became an effective law, and to prevent the use of Iraqi lands as a launching pad for attacks on neighboring countries or to drag Iraq into conflicts that do not serve the interests of its people, considering those who engage in behavior that threatens the security of the country as outlaws who must be fought in accordance with the articles of the constitution that prohibit the use of weapons outside the will of the state or the formation of any armed organization outside the official armed forces.
The attendees condemned the attacks on Iraqi armed forces units that resulted in the killing of a number of its members, calling for adherence to the deadline set for the confiscation of weapons, which ends on September 30, 2026.
The statement added that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after this date “will be dealt with in accordance with the counter-terrorism law.”
On the economic front, the meeting discussed the measures necessary to ensure the continuity of essential services and projects, diversify oil export outlets, enhance non-oil revenues, and combat waste, smuggling, and corruption.
The coalition affirmed Iraq’s support for efforts to promote calm and dialogue, and rejected the use of force in settling disputes, expressing Baghdad’s readiness to play a role in bringing together the views of the parties to regional conflicts in a way that preserves the security of the region and common interests.
The meeting also discussed developments in neighboring countries and ways to enhance border security, combat terrorism, drugs and organized crime, and develop Iraq’s foreign relations on the basis of mutual interests, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the State Administration Coalition called for expediting the formation of the government and sending the government program to the House of Representatives for discussion and approval.
Shafaq.com