Baghdad, Iraq – Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, called on all Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) units to distance themselves from partisan and sectarian orders,
emphasizing the importance of adhering to state institutions and operating under their authority.
This comes particularly after armed factions surrendered their weapons to the Iraqi state.
Sadr’s statements are made amidst ongoing discussions about the future of armed factions and their role within Iraq.
A call to move away from divisions
Al-Sadr stressed that he hopes all Popular Mobilization Forces factions will distance themselves from any partisan or sectarian directives,
emphasizing that the Iraqi state and its official institutions must take priority.
He added that the current phase requires strengthening national unity
and consolidating the concept of national action, free from political and sectarian divisions.
Announcement of the separation of “Saraya al-Salam”
The leader of the Sadrist movement explained that the time was right to announce the complete separation of
the Peace Brigades from the national Shiite movement. He also confirmed their full integration into the Iraqi state.
He considered this step to be in support of state institutions and to strengthen their sovereignty over all armed groups.
Moves to strengthen state authority
Al-Sadr’s statements come amid growing calls within Iraq to regulate the activities of armed factions
and restrict weapons to the state, as part of efforts to bolster security and political stability.
Observers believe these positions could represent a step toward restructuring the relationship
between political forces and armed factions in the coming period.
