Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Minister of Health and National Approach Alliance (Al-Nahj Al-Watani, formerly Al-Fadhila) leader Abdul Hussein Al-Musawi addressed growing political divisions among Shiite leadership regarding the federal mandate to restrict weapons strictly to state control on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Speaking in a televised interview with journalist Zainab Rabiee monitored by the 964 Network, Al-Musawi—a key figure within the ruling Coordination Framework—emphasized that armed factions represent patriotic Iraqis who made monumental sacrifices during the war against ISIS.
However, he firmly defended the government’s disarmament initiative, stating that anyone denying that weapons restriction is a formally approved parliamentary program suffers from “cognitive strabismus” (intellectual blindness).
Key Takeaways from Al-Musawi’s Statements
State Monopoly on Arms is Law: Al-Musawi stressed that restricting weapons to state institutions is not an arbitrary executive decision, but a core government program explicitly voted on and passed by the Iraqi Parliament.
Direct Dialogue with Factions: He called for candid, unmediated conversations with armed factions, warning against “viewing the future through the lens of the past” and urging groups to adapt to current political realities.
Preventing Economic Isolation: Citing Iran’s struggles under international sanctions, Al-Musawi warned that maintaining rogue armed structures risks plunging Iraq into global economic isolation and targeted blockades.
U.S. Coalition Drawdown: He noted that foreign military forces have largely completed their exit from Iraq, claiming remaining U.S. and coalition personnel now number fewer than 60 across the country.
Al-Musawi’s remarks highlight deepening friction within Shiite political circles as Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s administration approaches its September 30 deadline for non-state armed groups to hand over heavy weaponry or fully integrate into state security organs.
While hardline factional leaders continue to push back against full integration, moderate framework figures like Al-Musawi are increasingly advocating for pragmatic compliance to safeguard Iraq’s financial system, maintain international investment, and establish full institutional sovereignty.