An influential Shiite militia in Iraq handed over its weapons to the country’s armed forces under a new government initiative aimed at bringing powerful armed groups under state control.
Saraya al-Salam, or the Peace Brigades, transferred its weapons on Thursday to the Iraqi Army in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, state news agency INA reported.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is overseeing the implementation of the plan.
The militia was founded in 2014 by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr following the rapid advance of the Islamic State extremist group. It is estimated to have between 20,000 and 50,000 fighters.
Although al-Sadr is allied with Iran, he has long opposed Iraq becoming fully subordinate to its powerful neighbour’s influence.
Last week, al-Sadr announced that Saraya al-Salam would be fully integrated into Iraq’s state security structures. The move was widely seen as an attempt to increase pressure on political rivals and encourage allied militias to take similar steps.
On Tuesday, two other Iran-backed groups — Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali — also announced plans to place their weapons under state control.
However, responses from other militias have been mixed, and it remains unclear whether additional groups will follow suit. Some of Iraq’s most powerful armed factions continue to reject disarmament.