The Iraq Joint Operations Command announced that the records of fighters, weapons, equipment, and vehicles belonging to Kataib Imam Ali have been handed over to a special committee responsible for the integration and reorganization process within the security forces.
The procedure carried out in Baghdad is considered one of the initial steps toward reorganizing the group within the state structure.
Progressing within the government program framework
The command stated that the work is being carried out in line with the government program approved by the House of Representatives. The process is being conducted under the supervision of committee chairman Lieutenant General Kays al-Mohammedavi, with the participation of committee members and the group's leadership.
Officials indicated that these steps aim to complete the integration phases, reorganize the forces, and remove the separate names and titles of these formations. This is intended to bring the structure of weapons and personnel directly under state control.
Coordination expected within 48 hours
It was also reported that an agreement was reached to establish a joint committee within the framework of an understanding between Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Kataib Imam Ali. This committee is expected to coordinate the transfer of weapons under state control within 48 hours.
Al-Zaidi reiterated his government's commitment to this process in a statement on Tuesday. The Coordination Framework also supports the state's monopoly over weapons and calls for the separation of the Popular Mobilization Forces from political, partisan, and social ties.
Some groups object
However, some armed groups reject calls for separation. Kataib Hezbollah and Ashab al-Kahf oppose these steps, while Harakat al-Nujaba argues that the state's monopoly on weapons exerts pressure on resistance groups and the Popular Mobilization Forces.
Kataib Imam Ali emerged during the mobilization period following Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's call to fight ISIS in 2014. The group operates as the 40th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces and maintains ideological closeness to Iran.
This process in Baghdad brings the debate on how armed formations in Iraq will be integrated into the state structure back to the forefront. The government's approach centers on bringing weapons under central control and closing separate formations.
