Armed factions disarmament contingent on coalition withdrawal: Iraq PM
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Iraq's prime minister says disarming factions depends on US withdrawal, as he eyes re-election, economic reform, and full state control over weapons.
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Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad, on May 17, 2025 (AFP)
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has reaffirmed his government's commitment to bringing all weapons under state control but stressed that such efforts cannot be fully realized while the US-led coalition remains in the country.
Speaking in an interview for Reuters on Monday, al-Sudani said that while the disarmament of armed groups is a national priority, progress depends on the full withdrawal of foreign forces. A complete exit of the multinational anti-Islamic State coalition, which includes the United States, is planned by September 2026.
“There is no ISIS. Security and stability? Thank God it's there ... so give me the excuse for the presence of 86 states (in a coalition),” al-Sudani told the news agency, referencing the coalition established in 2014.
He further told Reuters that once the coalition departs, “for sure, there will be a clear program to end any arms outside of state institutions. This is the demand of all.” According to al-Sudani, factions would then have the opportunity to join the official security forces or enter politics by laying down their arms.
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Disarming remains politically sensitive
Iraq is engaged in a delicate balancing act as it attempts to manage US pressure to curb the influence of Iraqi Resistance factions, many of which fall under the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are formally incorporated into Iraq’s security apparatus.
The US and Iraq have agreed to a phased withdrawal of American forces, with initial drawdowns beginning in 2025 and a full exit expected by the end of 2026.
Addressing broader regional concerns, al-Sudani emphasized to Reuters that Iraq’s situation is unique, stating, “There is time enough, God willing. The situation here is different than Lebanon.”
He added, “Iraq is clear in its stances to maintain security and stability, and that state institutions have the decision over war and peace, and that no side can pull Iraq to war or conflict.”
Al-Sudani is focused in his leadership on increasing US investment in Iraq, which he described as essential for the country’s recovery after years of conflict and instability.
US investment expands as Iraq pushes economic reform
“There is a clear, intensive and qualitative entrance of US companies into Iraq,” al-Sudani told Reuters, pointing to the largest-ever agreement with GE to add 24,000 megawatts of power, equal to Iraq’s current generation capacity.
He also cited a major agreement in principle with Chevron for work in the Nassiriya oilfields and praised recent deals with Excelerate for liquefied natural gas and ExxonMobil to co-develop oilfields and build export infrastructure.
Additionally, US and European companies are showing interest in Iraq’s plan to develop a fixed gas import-export platform at the Grand Faw Port, a first-of-its-kind project for the country.
Al-Sudani reiterated his government’s target to end gas flaring and achieve self-sufficiency in gas supplies by 2027, ultimately replacing current gas imports from Iran.
“We burn gas worth four to five billion (dollars) per year and import gas with 4 billion dollars per year. These are wrong policies, and it's our government that has been finding solutions to these issues,” he told Reuters.
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Al-Sudani eyes second term ahead of Iraq elections 2025
The prime minister is running for re-election in Iraq’s upcoming November 11, 2025, vote, positioning himself as a reform-minded leader focused on governance and rebuilding.
“We expect a significant victory,” he told Reuters, expressing confidence in winning a second term. Al-Sudani emphasized that his government’s development record, including roads, bridges, and infrastructure, is helping transform daily life in Baghdad.
He pointed to 2,582 incomplete projects inherited from past administrations, many of which he claimed to have completed at a fraction of the original cost.
Al-Sudani’s government passed Iraq’s largest-ever three-year budget at more than $150 billion annually. He also hired around 1 million new state employees to stabilize the political and social environment, a move that drew criticism for swelling the public sector but also garnered popular support.
“I am not worried about Iraq’s financial and economic situation. Iraq is a rich country with many resources, but my fear is that the implementation of reforms is delayed,” he told Reuters.
Voter turnout in Iraq has declined significantly since 2005. Al-Sudani said he expects participation in this year’s vote to exceed the roughly 40% turnout recorded in the previous election.
