Iraq: Ruling coalition declares 'war' on rogue factions
In a decisive security development, the “State Administration” coalition in Iraq, which comprises the leading Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish forces participating in Iraq’s governance, announced that any entity engaging in behavior that threatens security outside the framework of official institutions is “outside the law and must be fought.” It warned that any military activity after the September 30 deadline for handing over weapons would be subject to the Anti-Terrorism Law and would face unprecedented security measures.
The day after the coalition meeting, attended by President Nizar al-Amedi, Prime Minister Ali al-Oldi, Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, Supreme Judicial Council head Faiz al-Zidan, and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, alongside political force leaders, a government source quoted the Prime Minister as stating that “the phase of weapons existing outside the state’s framework has ended.” He emphasized that any entity refusing to comply with the September 30 deadline would face the Anti-Terrorism Law and firm, unprecedented measures from all state institutions and forces, without exception.
During the meeting at the government palace in Baghdad, the coalition reaffirmed its support for efforts to preserve security and stability and to concentrate weapons in the hands of the state, in accordance with the ministerial program approved by the Council of Representatives and enacted into law. It stressed preventing Iraq from being used as a launching pad for attacks on neighboring countries or being drawn into conflicts that do not serve its people.
In a statement, the coalition considered those engaging in behavior that threatens Iraq’s security outside the state’s framework to be outside the law and subject to being fought, in accordance with constitutional provisions that prohibit the use of weapons outside the state’s will or the formation of any armed organization outside the official armed forces.
The coalition affirmed Iraq’s support for de-escalation and dialogue efforts, and its rejection of the use of force in resolving disputes. It expressed readiness to play a role in bridging differences among regional conflict parties and developing foreign relations based on mutual interests, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.
The coalition stated that the meeting discussed completing the formation of the government, as well as the political, security, economic, and service-related conditions, and regional developments and their repercussions. It clarified that al-Oldi reviewed economic and financial challenges, anti-corruption efforts, improvements in services, diversification of oil export routes and non-oil revenues, as well as measures to secure borders and combat terrorism, drugs, and organized crime.
In a separate security development, army commanders received orders today to raise the readiness levels of forces across all branches throughout Iraq, and to begin taking field measures in anticipation of any emergency or clash that could escalate into armed confrontation during the deadline for consolidating weapons and ending the activities of militias by September 30.
Multiple security sources reported that the orders included canceling leave for commanders and officers, keeping them on high alert. They noted that these precautionary measures coincide with preparations for new arrest operations against suspects in corruption cases, and follow the expiration of a deadline set by armed factions to take a stance regarding the Saudi-US strike on the Popular Mobilization Forces militia on July 29.
