War and Peace in State Hands.. Iraq Seeks to Disarm Iran-Loyal Factions
Iraqi officials' statements show clear determination to confront Iranian influence and end the phenomenon of armed militias outside state framework
January 16, 2025, 8:44 pm

War and Peace in State Hands.. Iraq Seeks to Disarm Iran-Loyal Factions

مليشيات عراقية

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed his government's efforts to convince Iran-linked militias to either surrender their weapons or integrate into official security institutions.

Hussein emphasized in statements Thursday the rejection of continued weapons proliferation outside state control, confirming his country's keenness to develop solid relations with the United States under elected President Donald Trump. The Iraqi minister expressed his country's concerns about ISIS activity in Syrian territories, pointing to counter-terrorism priority.

These statements aligned with Interior Minister Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari's confirmation on Sunday that the decision of war is exclusively in the hands of the Armed Forces Commander, highlighting a specific timeline for implementing a campaign to restrict weapons to state control.

Al-Shammari clarified that all military and security formations, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, are subject to the orders of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief. The minister highlighted governmental and public consensus on rejecting the continued presence of loose weapons, indicating his ministry's preparations to take over security from the army and Popular Mobilization Forces.

He revealed that thousands of citizens registered their weapons at police stations during 2024, announcing the extension of the registration period into 2025, noting public engagement with the initiative.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani previously confirmed his country's refusal to be drawn into regional conflicts, referring to Iranian tensions with the United States and Israel.

Iraqi authorities have feared, since the outbreak of confrontations in Gaza in October 2023, the involvement of pro-Tehran militias in the conflict, similar to Lebanese Hezbollah, which could drag the country into devastating conflicts.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.