Al-Sadr Movement in Iraq Dissolves Military Wing

The Arabic-language al-Sumeriyeh news reported that Saraya Al-Salam, or the Battalions of Peace, the largest Shiite armed faction linked to Muqtada Al-Sadr, was ordered to surrender its arms to the government, close its centers, except the civilian ones, and deliver control of all liberated areas by the group to the government, except Samarra.

Al-Sadr underlined that the activities of armed forces of the Sadr movement should be suspended, adding that the group will continue providing service to people.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced on Saturday the liberation of all Iraqi territories and the end of the three-year war against Daesh (ISIL), which seized almost a third of the territories in the west and north in summer 2014.

“At least four (armed) factions have voluntarily decided to disband their troops and gave the prime minister full authority to determine the fate of their fighters,” a senior security Iraqi official was quoted as saying by the Arab media on condition of anonymity.

“The procedures for disbanding these forces and the implementation mechanisms have not yet been decided, but 90 percent of them are likely to be disbanded and the remainder will be appointed to be a part of the regular security services,” the official said.

“No weapon will remain in the hands of anyone outside the control of the state. The decision to disarm the irregular armed factions will be issued in a few weeks and those who refuse to hand over their weapons will be considered outlaw,” he added.