Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji said on Wednesday that the government is continuing to implement its security programme to keep weapons in state hands and to strengthen security agreements with friendly and sister countries.
Al-Araji made the remarks during a meeting with EU Ambassador Clemens Zimmerer and other EU ambassadors and chargé d’affaires in Iraq, in a discussion that covered bilateral relations, security cooperation and economic ties.
Government says it remains open to the international community
A statement from the adviser’s office said the meeting reviewed ways to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Iraq and the European Union and to maintain a mutual partnership that serves Iraq’s higher interests.
It added that al-Araji reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s continued openness to the international community and its commitment to translating the government programme into balanced ties with friendly and sister countries.
Security linked to economic reform
The statement said the government is also moving ahead with economic diversification and efforts to attract foreign companies to invest in Iraq, in order to improve conditions for citizens and support stability.
Al-Araji said Iraq is continuing its security programme to keep weapons in state hands and to strengthen security agreements with friendly and sister countries, creating a safe and stable environment that can support economic reform and the entry of global companies into Iraq.
Constitution does not allow armed groups
The adviser said the Iraqi constitution does not allow the presence of armed groups that threaten the security of neighbouring countries or the wider region, in reference to the government’s commitment to the rule of law and border security.
EU says it supports Baghdad
For his part, Zimmerer said the European Union is determined to support the Iraqi government in implementing its ministerial programme in line with the government’s reform agenda.
He added that EU countries have a long and strong historical relationship with Iraq and value and respect that relationship.
Dhi Qar registers more than 30,000 weapons
In a separate development, Dhi Qar police said they had registered and tracked more than 30,000 weapons as part of the government’s strategy to keep weapons in state hands, with strong public interest in the registration office.
Head of the weapons registration section in Dhi Qar police, Colonel Abbas Hamid, said registration is continuing across the province through tribal guesthouses, awareness campaigns and coordination with community police and tribal affairs offices.
Licence valid only inside the home
Hamid said more than 30,000 weapons of various types, including pistols, rifles and hunting guns, have been registered since the campaign began.
He added that registration grants a licence to keep the weapon inside the home only, not to carry it outside, and that under Law No. 51 of 2017 each citizen may possess one light weapon.
Tribal support and public awareness
Tribal Sheikh Nasser al-Tamimi said the state initiative is in the public interest because registering weapons with the state provides legal and security protection for citizens.
He said tribes have always supported the state, adding that the decision serves the public and strengthens security.
Awareness lectures in Nasiriyah
Community police director in Dhi Qar, Ahmed Majid, said the community police department had begun holding awareness lectures at the Sayyid al-Sawaf guesthouse in Nasiriyah to explain how to register weapons through the Ur platform and to discuss Law No. 51.
He said public turnout has been strong and that the local community is supporting the security forces in this area.
Conclusion:
Iraq’s latest steps, from the National Security Adviser’s remarks to the weapons registration campaign in Dhi Qar, show that the government remains focused on keeping weapons in state hands as a key internal security priority. The figures also suggest broad tribal and public support for the policy, which aims to strengthen stability and the rule of law.
