By John Lee.
Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced on Wednesday the complete separation of his Saraya al-Salam [Peace Brigades] militia from his National Shiite Movement and its full integration into Iraq's state armed forces, saying the move was motivated by "public interest" and the need to avoid dangers facing the country.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi welcomed the decision, describing it as a "responsible national stance" that supports efforts to consolidate the state's exclusive control over weapons and strengthen the rule of law.
Al-Sadr also called on all remaining factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces to separate themselves from partisan and sectarian orders and hand over their weapons to the state.
Full statement from Moqtada al-Sadr:
This unofficial translation is provided in good faith for general information only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Iraq Business News accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations.
In the name of God, the Most High
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you
Based on the public interest of the nation, and to avoid the dangers threatening it, it has become imperative for us to announce the complete separation of the Peace Brigades [Saraya al-Salam] from the national Shiite movement... and their complete integration into the state and the general authority responsible for military formations.
The civilian entities affiliated with the Brigades will be transformed into a solid structure, without any headquarters, weapons, uniforms, addresses, or anything else.
In conclusion, I can only thank the military formations of the Peace Brigades for all their greater and lesser struggles, and may God forgive all those who did not conform to our religious, doctrinal, and social tastes in general.
My hope is that all formations of the Popular Mobilization Forces will separate themselves from partisan and sectarian orders, especially after the factions hand over their weapons to the state, as we advised them to do years ago.
Peace be upon you.
Muqtada al-Sadr
Full statement from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi:
This unofficial translation is provided in good faith for general information only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Iraq Business News accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations.
We commend the responsible national stance announced by the leader of the Shia National Current, Mr. Moqtada al-Sadr, which includes the integration of the Peace Brigades [Saraya al-Salam] formations into the state and placing them under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, out of commitment to supporting state institutions, reinforcing their authority, and upholding the rule of law.
We affirm that this initiative represents an important step toward strengthening internal stability, entrenching the principle of confining weapons to state authority, and supporting the security services in fulfilling their national and constitutional duties.
In this context, we call on all armed factions to follow the same path of national responsibility, to operate under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions, and to work toward safeguarding Iraq, preserving its sovereignty, and enhancing security and stability, proceeding from the principle that the state is the sole entity authorized to hold a monopoly on arms and enforce the law.
The current phase demands that all parties unite their efforts, place the supreme national interest above all else, and preserve the unity, security, and stability of Iraq, while strengthening citizens' trust in their constitutional institutions within the framework of a strong state governed by the rule of law.
(Sources: @Mu_AlSadr, PMO)
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