Iraqi PM Forms Committee to Oversee Integration of Saraya al-Salam Into State Forces

Peregraf- Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, Iraq's prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, met on Saturday with a delegation representing Muqtada al-Sadr to discuss the implementation of al-Sadr's initiative to integrate Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades) into Iraq's security forces and hand over its weapons to the state.

According to the Prime Minister's Media Office, the meeting was attended by the deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command and the prime minister's personal secretary.

Committee Formed 

The meeting focused on mechanisms for implementing al-Sadr's initiative and transferring Saraya al-Salam under state authority.

The Prime Minister's Office said a special committee was formed to supervise implementation of the initiative and follow up on all related procedures.

During the meeting, al-Zaidi reiterated his appreciation for what he described as al-Sadr's "responsible national position."

Al-Sadr's Initiative

On May 27, Muqtada al-Sadr announced the complete separation of Saraya al-Salam from his National Shia Movement and called for its full integration into the Iraqi state structure.

"It has become necessary for us to announce the complete separation of Saraya al-Salam from the National Shia Movement and their full integration into the state," al-Sadr said at the time.

He also called on other factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to distance themselves from partisan and sectarian decision-making and eventually hand over their weapons to the state.

Al-Zaidi Calls on Other Factions to Follow

Following al-Sadr's announcement, al-Zaidi welcomed the move, describing it as "an important step toward strengthening internal stability."

The Iraqi prime minister also called on all armed groups to follow the same path and operate under state institutions.

"We call on all armed factions to follow the same responsible national path and operate under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions," al-Zaidi said.

Debate Over State Control of Weapons

The issue of armed groups operating outside direct state control remains one of Iraq's most sensitive political and security challenges.

Successive Iraqi governments have pledged to strengthen state authority and place weapons exclusively under official military institutions, while several powerful PMF factions continue to maintain independent structures and influence.N