Media: Iraqi armed group announces move to hand weapons to state control

An Iraqi pro-Iranian armed group, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, has announced that it is withdrawing from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) and transferring its weapons to state authorities, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The development marks the second such move by a major faction after Saraya al-Salam, which previously declared a similar decision to integrate its arsenal into state structures.

The group said a central committee will be formed to carry out a full inventory of weapons and military equipment, as well as to oversee the legal and administrative procedures required for its formal exit from the Hashd al-Shaabi umbrella.

Hashd al-Shaabi, established in 2014, is a state-backed umbrella organisation comprising predominantly Shiite paramilitary groups that were formed during the fight against Islamic State.

Asaib al-Haq is widely regarded as one of its most prominent pro-Iranian factions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev