According to a report by Sky News on Monday, June 22, 2026, Iraq’s government has said progress is being made in efforts to bring armed groups under state control, as Baghdad continues its campaign to consolidate security authority nationwide.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi stated that the decision to disarm militias is advancing significantly and remains, in his words, “an Iraqi decision made in Baghdad.”
Speaking in an interview with Sky News Arabia, al-Aboudi said the justification used by militias resisting disarmament would not last indefinitely, suggesting that political and security conditions are shifting in favour of state enforcement.
He also addressed concerns about Iraq’s sovereignty and external influence, stating that “no country has authority over Iraq, which is operating as a fully sovereign state.”
His remarks come amid long-standing regional debate over the role of armed groups operating alongside official security forces, particularly in relation to foreign policy alignment and internal stability.
Al-Aboudi further stressed that Iraq rejects any form of aggression against neighbouring Arab countries and will not allow its territory to be used as a base for attacks against other states.
“Iraq rejects any aggression by any party against its Arab neighbors and refuses to become a launch pad for attacks against any country,” he said.
The government has been pursuing a gradual strategy aimed at integrating or dissolving non-state armed formations, while strengthening the authority of national security institutions.
Officials argue that this process is essential for maintaining long-term stability and reinforcing Iraq’s sovereignty after years of conflict and political fragmentation.
However, the issue remains sensitive, as various armed factions continue to hold influence in parts of the country, and negotiations over their future status remain ongoing.
Despite these challenges, Baghdad insists that its policy direction is clear and that all armed activity must ultimately fall under state control as part of broader national security reforms.