Conditions for weapons: Factions open negotiations with the tripartite framework committee (exclusive)

Conditions for weapons: Factions open negotiations with the tripartite framework committee (exclusive)

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Wednesday the latest developments in the dialogue being conducted by the tripartite committee formed within the coordination framework with the armed factions, with the aim of reaching understandings regarding the organization and management of the weapons file and limiting it to the state.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the factions showed some flexibility in their position on the disarmament file, by agreeing to enter into dialogue with the tripartite committee formed by the Coordination Framework, which includes former Prime Ministers Nouri al-Maliki and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, along with the leader of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri.”

He added that “Al-Amiri enjoys the confidence of the various factions, whether they are committed to the principle of restricting weapons to the state or reject it, whereas the factions, prior to the formation of the committee, categorically rejected restricting weapons under any name, and also refused to enter into a dialogue on this matter. Therefore, their acceptance of dialogue and interaction with the committee represents an indication of flexibility in their positions.”

The source explained that “the factions informed the committee tasked with dialogue with them of a number of points and conditions in exchange for proceeding with dismantling weapons, including that the decision be Iraqi and independent, and that it not be subject to any external will, as well as rejecting external pressures, especially American ones, under any name.”

He pointed out that among the demands is also to provide legal and constitutional cover for the process of restricting weapons, by passing the Popular Mobilization Forces Law under the dome of Parliament, in a way that ensures that all parties are included in the file of restricting weapons, as well as rejecting setting a time limit for the process, in light of the current political assessments that indicate the seriousness of the situation for Iraq, with the continuation of military escalation in the region and on the Iraqi borders shared with Syria and Jordan.

The source continued, saying that “the factions refuse to link the weapons issue to American demands, in addition to the need to resolve the issues of the Ministries of Interior and Defense, and to determine the official body responsible for receiving the weapons.”

He added that “the factions, if the aforementioned demands are implemented, will abide by the decision to restrict weapons according to the data presented, in addition to stipulating the complete evacuation of American forces and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Iraqi territory.”

The source pointed out that “the committee is continuing its dialogues with the leaders of the factions with the aim of reaching a final agreement on the issue of weapons management, and that the meetings are almost held on a daily basis,” stressing that “there is a shared emphasis on the need to avoid dragging the country into the conflict that the region is witnessing, especially in light of the renewed military operations between Iran, the United States and Israel.”

complete US withdrawal

For his part, MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq must be complete, and the conditions of the factions are legitimate.”

According to the Iraqi MP, the information we have received indicates that there is an American response to Iraqi demands regarding a complete withdrawal from Iraqi territory in general.

Progress in the dialogues

In a related context, Fahd al-Jubouri, a leader in the Hikma Movement, said in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “the dialogues between the government, the coordination framework, and the factions are witnessing progress towards formulating a political understanding that includes a clear roadmap for the next stage.”

Al-Jubouri pointed out that “a committee was formed within the framework of coordination for dialogue with the factions, and held meetings with those concerned, and discussed various files and challenges,” noting that “the data indicates that there is a near-preliminary agreement that has begun to take shape between the parties.”

He also indicated that “work is underway to prepare a document that includes specific steps and paths until the end of this month, to be followed by other steps after the end of the presence of the international coalition in Iraq, in order to ensure that the shape of the next stage is determined according to an agreed political vision.”

The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”

The coalition warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

Following this, Iraqi security and military forces raised their readiness level throughout the country, and the leave of a number of commanders and officers was cancelled, while security agencies began implementing field movements and exercises in anticipation of any emergency or friction that might develop into an armed confrontation.

Last week, Baghdad witnessed hours of security tension coinciding with threats by armed factions to retaliate against Saudi Arabia after strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces sites, before it ended with contacts and a dawn meeting between Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, which led to a mutual calming and opened the way for diplomatic action to address the crisis.

Al-Amiri later called on the “Islamic Resistance” factions to postpone any military response against Saudi Arabia and to prioritize “Iraq’s higher interest,” but he returned and stressed during a meeting with a number of Popular Mobilization Forces leaders the importance of maintaining a high level of readiness.

The plan to restrict weapons does not have a unified stance from the armed factions.

While some forces expressed a willingness to reorganize their military and security relationship with the state, other factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, announced their refusal to relinquish their military capabilities, and linked any discussion about their weapons to the end of the presence of foreign forces and ensuring the protection of Iraq from external attacks.

The September 30th date also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the military presence of the international coalition in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

shafaq.com