The Iraqi government has identified the restriction of weapons to state control as a primary component of its institutional reform program.
This move represents a critical effort to stabilize national security by removing unregulated arms from the public sphere. By centralizing military power, the government aims to reduce the influence of non-state actors and strengthen the rule of law.
Haider al-Aboudi, a spokesperson for the Iraqi government, discussed the strategy during an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic. He said that institutional reform begins with restricting weapons to the state and combating corruption.
According to al-Aboudi, this policy is designed to improve the overall performance of state institutions. The initiative seeks to create a governance structure where the state maintains a monopoly on the legal use of force, a prerequisite for sustainable administrative reform.
External actors have previously signaled support for this objective. On May 31, the U.S. State Department said it supported Iraq in the file of restricting weapons to the state, describing the move as a qualitative leap toward consolidation.
Domestic pressure for a more detailed roadmap has also emerged. The "Iraqis" initiative has called on the government to establish a clear plan for this process, including specific timelines, and measurable mechanisms to track progress.
The government's current focus remains on integrating these security measures with broader anti-corruption efforts. Al-Aboudi said that the two goals are linked, as the presence of unregulated arms often facilitates the systemic corruption the state is attempting to dismantle.
“Institutional reform begins with restricting weapons to the state and combating corruption.”
Centralizing weapon control is a long-standing challenge for the Iraqi state, often complicated by the presence of powerful militias and regional instability. By framing weapon confiscation as a part of 'institutional reform' rather than just a security crackdown, the government is attempting to link public safety with the broader goal of state-building and anti-corruption. Success will depend on whether the government can provide the 'measurable mechanisms' requested by domestic groups and maintain the diplomatic support of the U.S.
