At a Glance

• Lawmaker Mazin Gharib details Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi's mandate to parliament.
• Iraqi Security and Defense Committee drafts new bill to strictly regulate firearms.
• MP notes executive concerns regarding security infrastructure and national fiscal deficits.
• Parliamentary push coincides with the September 30 deadline for coalition forces exit.

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Iraqi Member of Parliament Mazin Gharib disclosed that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has urged the Security and Defense Committee to draft specialized legislation asserting complete state authority over all weapons, framing the arms control initiative as essential for safeguarding national sovereignty.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Parliamentary Disclosures: Outlining the Prime Minister's stance during legislative discussions, MP Mazin Gharib reported that "Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi emphasized during his meeting with the Security and Defense Committee that all types of weapons must be under state control."
• Drafting the Control Bill: Confirming the committee's immediate actions, the lawmaker noted that "the Security and Defense Committee is working on drafting the legislation to submit it directly to Parliament."
• Security and Fiscal Warnings: Reflecting on the Prime Minister's broader operational assessment, Gharib highlighted executive concerns over current conditions, stating that al-Zaidi "expressed deep concern regarding the country's current financial deficit and security situation."

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Lawmaker Outlines Executive Mandate to Parliament

In an exclusive statement to Channel8, Security and Defense Committee member Mazin Gharib revealed details from high-level consultations between Prime Minister al-Zaidi and parliamentary leadership. According to the lawmaker, the executive branch requested immediate legislative backing to mandate that all non-governmental military hardware and light firearms be brought under central military oversight.

Committee Prepares Comprehensive Arms Legislation

Following the Prime Minister’s directive, the Security and Defense Committee initiated the legal framework required to regulate weapons possession nationwide. MP Gharib confirmed that the upcoming bill will establish formal registration protocols, penalize unauthorized firearms ownership, and provide the judicial mechanism needed to disarm non-state actors operating within Iraqi territory.

Transition Pressure Ahead of Coalition Deadline

The legislative momentum outlined by the lawmaker comes as Iraq approaches a pivotal defense transition. Prime Minister Al-Zaidi confirmed that September 30, 2026, remains the final date for the complete withdrawal of foreign coalition forces. As MP Gharib noted, establishing full state control over domestic armaments is viewed by parliamentary leaders as a prerequisite for maintaining stability once coalition military support concludes.

FYI

The revelations by MP Mazin Gharib highlight the pivotal role parliament plays in formalizing the executive branch's security vision. With foreign troops preparing for their final departure by September 30, legislative efforts to centralize arms control reflect a broader attempt to prevent security vacuums and assert state authority over independent armed groups, testing parliament's ability to enact critical defense reforms during a delicate political transition.

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