Iraq Reaffirms State Monopoly on Weapons as ‘Non-Negotiable Sovereign Matter’

Sabah al-Nu'man's Facebook Page

Sabah al-Nu'man, spokesperson for Iraq's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Sabah al-Nu'man, spokesperson for Iraq's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has reaffirmed that restricting weapons to the state and dismantling armed groups operating outside the law is an existential and sovereign matter that is not open to negotiation.

Speaking to Iraq's state media (INA), al-Nu'man said that Iraq's military and security institutions have moved beyond a reactive posture and entered a phase of strategic deterrence and the full exercise of state sovereignty.

He stated that, under the direct guidance of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zaidi, Iraq's security doctrine has evolved from responding to threats to adopting a proactive approach aimed at neutralising risks before they emerge.

Al-Nu'man said the government had closed all avenues that could be exploited to undermine the rule of law or challenge state authority. He pointed to recent intelligence operations that, according to him, had thwarted sophisticated plots involving sabotage networks and transnational criminal groups before they could be carried out.

He also highlighted measures to strengthen border security, including the deployment of thermal imaging systems and other advanced technologies, describing Iraq's borders as a "red line" that cannot be violated.

Addressing the issue of weapons control, al-Nu'man said the government's position was clear and unambiguous. He stressed that the possession of weapons must remain exclusively in the hands of the state and that dismantling any armed groups operating outside the framework and oversight of the Joint Military Command is a matter of national sovereignty that cannot be compromised.

He added that all military formations remain on high alert and are prepared to enforce the law and confront any attempts to undermine stability in any part of the country.

"The era of compromises at the expense of state authority is over," al-Nu'man said, stressing that the law is the sole authority governing all parties without exception and that anyone placing themselves above the law would face the full force of the state.

He further stated that Iraq now possesses a comprehensive and capable security apparatus that is fully in control of the situation, sending what he described as a clear message both domestically and internationally.

Al-Nu'man warned that any internal or external actor seeking to disrupt economic development or threaten national and societal security would face a firm military and legal response.

He concluded by saying that Iraq has entered a new phase characterised by decisiveness, adding that the government would not allow any challenge to the rule of law and would ensure that state authority remains supreme throughout the country.



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