Iraq's Al-Sudani insists weapons must remain under state authority
On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reiterated that exclusive state control over arms is essential, stressing that no party has the right to usurp this authority.
Speaking during a ceremony commemorating the 1920 Iraqi Revolution (Thawrat al-Ashreen) in Babil province, al-Sudani stressed that ' limiting weapons to the state is a cornerstone of a strong and respected nation,' according to a statement from the PM's media office.
He also commended the Supreme Religious Authority for its contributions to state-building, particularly through its guidance on preserving the state, fighting corruption, and ensuring that weapons remain under state control.
Both the government and the people must remain acutely aware of the dangers and challenges facing the region, he stated, pointing out, 'We have exercised great caution in preserving Iraq's interests and avoiding involvement in any war that others seek to drag us into.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraq Business
5 minutes ago
- Iraq Business
Turkish and Lebanese Companies to build new Tigris Bridge
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Wednesday launched the construction of Al-Kriat [Al-Kari'a] Bridge over the Tigris River as part of the Baghdad reconstruction campaign, specifically targeting the revitalisation of the holy city of Kadhimiya. The work will be carried out by Turkish company HSY Yapi Insaat and Lebanon's Khatib & Alami. This project is the first in the development of the "Fifth Division" military zone, which has been closed for decades and will now be transformed into a 400-dunum area hosting public services, cultural and religious centres, and rest cities for pilgrims. Al-Sudani praised the collaborative efforts of ministers, the PM's office, Baghdad Municipality, the Ministry of Housing, the Investment Commission, and the religious endowments. He confirmed the government's commitment to a realistic and strategic plan tailored to each district's needs. The Prime Minister announced that the Fifth Division area is now open to all investors through a transparent and non-residential investment process. A key feature will be a 12,500m² museum documenting the atrocities of Iraq's former dictatorship-intended as a national reminder and deterrent against repeating such history. Key statements by PM Al-Sudani: Baghdad's population now exceeds 9.5 million, yet the city has lacked proportional infrastructure rehabilitation. Kadhimiya, long neglected, is now undergoing a transformation that respects its Islamic heritage and accommodates religious visitors. "Baghdad is More Beautiful" (phases 1 and 2), in coordination with ministry and municipal plans, represents a unified vision for comprehensive urban renewal. Islamic architectural standards are being upheld in all planned developments. The campaign also targets neighbourhoods, schools, and service institutions in Kadhimiya, ensuring high standards and rapid implementation. The Al-Kriat Bridge is a strategic part of Baghdad's second-phase traffic decongestion programme, connecting to major roads such as Mohammed Al-Qasim Expressway and Army Canal. Other initiatives in the Kadhimiya reconstruction campaign include: Upgrading and expanding 15 major roads across five districts Building 38 new schools and restoring 4 historic ones Paving and resurfacing 12 residential areas Developing public parking, overpasses, family recreation facilities Creating six new city entrances Upgrading sewage treatment, water supply systems, and relocating government offices outside the city (Source: PMO)
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israeli fire kills over 80 in Gaza aid lines
Shafaq News – Gaza On Wednesday, more than 80 Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza were killed by Israeli army fire, medical sources in the enclave told Shafaq News on Tuesday. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported that the Al-Sudaniya area, northwest of Gaza City, alone witnessed the deaths of 51 people and injuries to 648 others as they waited for humanitarian assistance. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) described the situation as 'a completely man-made famine,' criticizing the practice of airdropping aid as dangerous and unnecessary. Meanwhile, in the United States, 93 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the administration to ensure the delivery of aid to Palestinians safely and effectively. They called it both 'a moral obligation and a necessity for Israel's security.' The lawmakers also requested an investigation into the structure and operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
PM Sudani discusses recent attacks in Baghdad meeting
Also in Iraq Baghdad may waive oil shortfall blocking June budget transfers to Erbil: KRG source KRG says not consulted on Iraq-UN poverty report Iraqi president, PM stress state resources must not be used for election purposes Iraqi women's party seeks to contest elections through empowerment A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the country's National Security Council, discussing the findings of the latest drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region's oil facilities and the attack on an agriculture ministry branch in Baghdad blamed on pro-Iran militias. 'During the meeting, the work of the specialized committees investigating the attacks on oil facilities, vital areas, and Iraqi military equipment, including radars, as well as the recent attack on an agriculture department near Karkh, Baghdad, was reviewed,' Sudani's spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said in a statement. An 'armed assault' by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) on an agriculture ministry office in Baghdad's Karkh district on Sunday left three people dead - a policeman, a civilian, and a member of the powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah. Baghdad confirmed that the perpetrators of the attack were PMF members. The Kurdistan Region has also come under dozens of rocket and drone attacks in recent weeks, including strikes on its oil facilities. The Kurdish government has blamed the PMF for the attacks - charges strongly denied as 'unacceptable' by Baghdad. The strikes have badly damaged the Kurdistan Region's oil infrastructure, halting production in some fields entirely and cutting total output by about 70 percent. 'The meeting discussed the overall security situation in the country, reviewed the topics on the agenda, and made the necessary decisions and recommendations,' Numan added. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch condemned the attacks as a 'dangerous escalation' that risks fueling disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. A day prior, the United States blamed the powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah - a PMF component - for the Baghdad agriculture department attack, calling on the Iraqi government to bring the perpetrators to account 'without delay.'
