The selective handling of the arms confiscation file raises doubts about the seriousness of this move, especially since the American side is pressuring strongly to achieve this goal, as stated by Trump's envoy, Tom Barrack, on several occasions when discussing Iraqi resistance factions, at a time when armed groups roaming freely in the northern part of the country, some of which are not originally from Iraq, have been forgotten.
Observers believe that any serious move to restrict arms should be comprehensive and not exclude any party, regardless of its geographical location or political affiliations, warning that tightening measures in the central and southern provinces, contrasted with what they describe as a loosening grip in some northern areas, may put the government in a position of questioning the independence of its decision in this file.
On the other hand, another aspect of the debate relates to the popular stance on arms, as many Iraqis believe that the experiences of the past years have led them to view the presence of arms as one of the factors protecting the country, especially after ISIS invaded vast areas of Iraqi territory in 2014.
In this context, former MP Mohammed Al-Shabaki, in a press interview that "Video News Agency" reviewed, emphasized that "the government's plans regarding what is called the arms restriction file should be clear and comprehensive, and should include a complete national vision that does not limit itself to one party or side," stressing the need for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to present a comprehensive report to the representatives of the people regarding the security situation in the country.”
Al-Shabaki questioned, "What will happen to the Iranian armed opposition parties present in the Kurdistan region, and whether the region will provide a safe environment for them, or if they will be included in the government’s plan for arms regulation," pointing out that "there are many security, political, and national considerations that the government should take into account before proceeding with any practical steps," warning of "selectivity in dealing with the arms file," while stressing that "any direction in this regard should be inclusive of everyone, especially the armed groups present in northern Iraq."
For his part, the head of the Al-Muntasirun parliamentary bloc, Falih Khazali, in a press interview that "Video News Agency" reviewed, warned of "the risks of a new American chaos occurring before the withdrawal from Iraq," pointing to "the need to pay attention to the developments that may accompany the coming phase preceding the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, as it requires caution and preparedness," warning of "the possibility of exploiting this period to incite chaos and destabilize the situation."
Khazali added that "Iraq needs a clear position that maintains its security, stability, and sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of dealing cautiously with any developments that may occur before completing the withdrawal process," while noting that "the upcoming phase requires strengthening the national stance and monitoring what is happening on the ground to ensure that no chaos or repercussions affecting the country's security and stability occur."
At a time when Washington is pushing for the restriction of resistance weapons, many Iraqis believe that there is no guarantor of their security other than the arms that defeated terrorism and fought ISIS, while the international coalition has merely watched as a third of the country fell into the hands of the most heinous criminal organization.
The biggest question remains: Will the government be able to establish a single standard for arms restriction that encompasses all Iraqi territory, or will the file remain subject to political balances and external pressures that make its implementation vary from one area to another?