State Administration Coalition Backs September 30 Deadline on Arms
At a Glance
- Leaders met in Baghdad Wednesday night
- Support reaffirmed for state control of weapons
- September 30 deadline emphasized
- Economic, border, and regional issues reviewed
Iraq's State Administration Coalition reaffirmed its support for keeping all weapons under state authority and backed the implementation timetable requiring all armed activity to fall under state control after September 30, 2026, during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- "All arms remain under state authority" in line with the Government Program approved by parliament.
- Iraqi territory must not be used for attacks on neighboring countries or to draw Iraq into external conflicts.
- Armed activity outside the state framework after September 30, 2026, would be addressed under the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi hosted the 37th regular meeting of the State Administration Coalition on Wednesday evening. The meeting was attended by Nizar Amedi, President of the Republic; Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region; Haibat al-Halbousi, Speaker of the Council of Representatives; Faiq Zaidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council; and coalition leaders representing Iraq's national political forces.
Participants reviewed the country's political, security, economic, and service conditions, as well as regional developments and their implications for Iraq.
At the opening of the meeting, al-Zaidi outlined government efforts to strengthen security and stability, improve public services, implement the Government Program, and address economic and financial challenges, saying that protecting citizens' interests remains the government's top priority.
The coalition reiterated its support for continued efforts to preserve security and stability and for the government's plan to ensure that all weapons remain under state authority, in accordance with the Government Program approved by the Council of Representatives.
It also stressed that Iraqi territory should not be used as a launching point for attacks against neighboring countries or as a platform that could draw Iraq into conflicts that do not serve the interests of its people.
The coalition said that anyone engaging in such activities would be committing a crime against the country's security and would be considered outside the law. It emphasized that the Constitution prohibits the use of weapons outside state authority and the formation of armed organizations outside the official Armed Forces.
While condemning recent attacks on Iraqi Armed Forces units that resulted in the deaths of several service members, the participants called for adherence to the timetable for implementing measures to place all weapons under state authority.
The coalition said that after September 30, 2026, any armed activity outside the framework of the state would be dealt with under the Anti-Terrorism Law.
The meeting also focused on Iraq's economic and financial situation, calling for measures to ensure the continuity of essential services and strategic projects, diversify oil export routes, increase non-oil revenues, and combat waste, smuggling, and corruption.
On regional affairs, the coalition reaffirmed Iraq's support for de-escalation and dialogue, rejected the use of force to resolve disputes, and expressed readiness to play a constructive role in easing regional tensions.
Participants also reviewed developments in neighboring countries and stressed the importance of strengthening border security, combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and organized crime, and expanding relations with neighboring, regional, and international partners based on mutual interests, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the coalition called for accelerating the completion of government formation and the submission of the Government Program to the Council of Representatives for discussion and approval.
FYI
The State Administration Coalition brings together the main political forces participating in Iraq's governing framework and has become the central forum for coordinating security, economic, and institutional decisions among the country's top executive, legislative, judicial, and Kurdistan Region leadership.
The September 30, 2026 deadline referenced in the meeting has increasingly emerged as a key benchmark in Baghdad's effort to consolidate all armed activity under state authority and reinforce the constitutional principle that weapons must remain exclusively under government control.
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