Baghdad, October 2, 2026: Iraq has begun a new phase in its efforts to bring weapons held by armed factions under government control, with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi setting June 30, 2027 as the latest deadline for completing the process.

The announcement came shortly after the United States formally ended its coalition military mission in Iraq. The Iraqi government has described the withdrawal as an important step toward greater national control over security and defence.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi said October 1 marked the beginning of a structured process to address weapons held outside state authority. He said the government would follow a clear roadmap and that decisions involving war and peace should remain with Iraq’s constitutional institutions.

The new deadline replaces an earlier target of September 30. That deadline passed without all armed factions agreeing to surrender their weapons, prompting Baghdad to extend the timetable while continuing negotiations with the groups.

The issue is particularly sensitive because several powerful armed organisations have close ties with Iran. Some factions have indicated a willingness to place their weapons under state authority, while others have rejected the government’s timetable.

Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most influential Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, has denied reaching an agreement with the prime minister on disarmament. The group has said it is not bound by a government timetable for surrendering its weapons.

The Iraqi government, however, says discussions with armed groups are continuing. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the authorities had been negotiating with seven armed groups and that some factions had already indicated support for the government’s plan. He said Baghdad intends to integrate eligible factions into the country’s security structure under government authority.

The timing of the initiative is significant because the US-led coalition formally completed its military mission in Iraq on September 30. Baghdad now faces the challenge of maintaining national security while managing relationships with both Washington and Tehran.

The Iraqi government has also stressed that armed groups should not be able to independently decide whether Iraq enters military confrontations with neighbouring countries. Officials say bringing weapons under state control is intended to strengthen the authority of national institutions and prevent Iraqi territory from being used for attacks against other countries.

The process is likely to remain politically difficult. Armed factions have considerable influence within Iraq’s political and security environment, and previous attempts to establish firm disarmament deadlines have faced resistance.

For Baghdad, the coming months will therefore be important. The government must negotiate with armed groups, strengthen its security institutions and demonstrate that national decisions on military operations can be made through constitutional authorities.

The June 30, 2027 deadline provides additional time for negotiations, but the competing positions of the government and some powerful factions indicate that reaching a comprehensive agreement could remain a complicated political process.