The Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq has set its conditions for negotiating with the Iraqi government regarding its weapons, as the issue of restricting weapons to the state enters a crucial stage with the approaching deadline of September 30.
An official statement issued by the brigades read: "The conditions of the Islamic Resistance for engaging with any government with the intention of regulating cooperation with it regarding the weapon of dignity are as follows:
- The complete and genuine withdrawal of the American enemy forces from Iraqi land and airspace, and assurance that they will not return, in addition to liberating political and economic decision-making from American hegemony.
- Expelling the Turkish forces occupying northern Iraq.
- Dissolving the Peshmerga forces, considering them the most heavily armed and dangerous militia to the unity of Iraq, in addition to their suspicious ties with the Zionist enemy.
The Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq directed sharp criticism at the Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, adding in the statement: “We have been patient for more than one hundred days with the empty bravado of the young Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, hoping that he would understand the equations governing the internal, regional and international reality, and that he would listen to the advice of the elder politicians. However, we have not seen from him any development in understanding the complex circumstances that Iraq and the region are going through. Rather, the calamity has increased with his insistence on listening to the one who is hostile to the Shiites of the Commander of the Faithful, and to the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Iraq and al-Sham (the pickpocket) Tom Barak.”
The statement continued: "Our patience is wearing thin regarding the provocative and irresponsible actions of the young Zaidi, including storming homes and terrorizing the families of martyrs, the wounded, mujahideen, and tribal leaders, all under the direct supervision of the American enemy."
It added: "While we affirm that terrorizing the families of those who have sacrificed and defended the land has a profound and lasting impact, we remind Zaidi: You were engaged in commerce, enjoying security and luxury, and filling your coffers with billions, while our blood was being shed to preserve the country's sovereignty, protect the state, and safeguard holy sites. Do not forget yourself, for you are facing men who fear no one but God."
The statement concluded: "We expect our elders and their leaders to rectify the security lapses caused by the designated prime minister, so that no one has any excuse, and to ensure stability, preserve dignity, and avoid being drawn into what pleases our enemies."
The issue of restricting weapons to the state is one of the most prominent security and political challenges in Iraq, and the Iraqi government has set September 30 as a crucial date to end this issue, while the positions of the factions on complete surrender are still varying.
In a related context, Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed in statements carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the international coalition is working to accelerate its procedures within the framework of ending its mission in Iraq by the end of next September, in conjunction with the government’s efforts to restrict weapons to the state.
During his meeting with US Central Command chief Brad Cooper on the 11th of this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stressed the importance of restricting weapons to the state in accordance with the law, affirming that "the first of next October will be a new day in the path of the Iraqi state, as Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence, having completed its national sovereignty over its territory, and continuing to build its security and military capabilities in a way that enables it to protect its security and stability on its own."
He stressed that "restricting weapons to the state, in accordance with the law, protects everyone, strengthens the state's authority and sovereignty, ensures security and stability, and represents a fundamental condition for moving Iraq to a new stage of development and prosperity."
