A spokesman for Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada stated that the disarmament of their group is contingent on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and the end of “external threats” to Iraqi sovereignty.

Established in 2013 to protect Shia shrines, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is led by Abu Ali al-Walai and operates as part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

Washington and Baghdad have formalized an understanding in 2024 regarding the phased withdrawal of international coalition forces from the country.

Under this framework, coalition forces are transferring operations out of federal Iraqi bases by September 2025, with the final deadline for a complete military drawdown scheduled for the end of 2026.

Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada Denies Arms Talks With Al-Zaidi 

Spokesman Kazem al-Fartousi stated there are no talks with Ali Faleh al-Zaidi's government regarding the issue.

Al-Fartousi noted that the group is ready to hand over its weapons to the state whenever U.S. forces leave Iraq.

The spokesman further stressed that their stance is “Iraqi” and that they do not take orders from outside the country.

Groups Agree to Separate From Hashd al-Shaabi as Joint Committee Forms 

Following a call to action by Muqtada al-Sadr to dissolve Saraya al-Salam last week, both Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali announced they would sever ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) and begin handing over their weapons to state authorities.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi met with delegations from Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali to discuss the government's decision to form a joint committee within two days.

This committee will establish the legal mechanisms required to disengage these factions from the Popular Mobilization Forces and restrict all military weapons to state authority.

Disarmament Drive Splinters Iraqi Factions 

While several factions are moving to place their weapons under state control, other armed groups remain hesitant to join the initiative. Specifically, Harakat al-Nujaba has firmly rejected calls to disarm, reaffirming that its weapons are sacred and essential for national defense.

Meanwhile, Saraya Awliya al-Dam outlined specific conditions under which it would consider surrendering its arms, demanding guarantees for Iraqi financial and political sovereignty alongside the complete removal of foreign forces.