Press Release
America Orders the Disbanding of Iraqi Armed Factions After They Are No Longer Needed
(Translated)

It appears that the increased pressure exerted by the American occupation forces on the Iraqi government in Baghdad, and their refusal to deal with any Iraqi government that includes armed factions or their allies, has yielded results with these factions, especially given their approximately 80 parliamentary seats. Several leaders of these factions have announced their agreement to disarm, most notably: Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq; Haider al-Gharawi, leader of Ansar Allah al-Awfiya; Shibl al-Zaidi, leader of Kata'ib al-Imam Ali; and Kadhim al-Fartousi, spokesman for Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

In contrast, the Hezbollah and al-Nujaba factions announced in official statements their categorical refusal to hand over weapons, but the reality is that they are in a weak position, especially after the Iraqi judiciary endorsed the decision of the factions that adopted disarmament.

Despite this momentum at both the official and media levels, the mechanism for implementing disarmament remains unclear. Statements and declarations have not clarified whether it will be limited to the disarmament of heavy weapons only, or whether it will encompass all types of weapons and the disbanding of these factions. Nor has it addressed the inclusion of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), especially given their legal status. Although the American messages did not exclude anyone, a source close to one of the factions told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "the upcoming parliament will discuss the issue of integrating the PMF into a new law called the Internal Security Law, replacing the previous law called the Popular Mobilization Forces Law."

The existence of multiple armed groups within a country is a pathological condition, but what if these groups are based on an agent regime or foreign powers? Undoubtedly, this will bring disaster upon the country, as evidenced by numerous examples, such as the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s, the ongoing tragedy in Sudan which has claimed thousands of innocent lives, and other conspiracies orchestrated by the enemies of the Ummah. It is no secret that the American occupiers exploited these groups to incite sectarian strife in Iraq. Then, under America's watchful eye, they went to Syria to kill innocent civilians and those rebelling against the Syrian tyrant. Now that they are no longer needed, the US has decided to eliminate them to clip Iran's wings and sever its influence beyond its borders.

O Muslims, O Ummah of Guidance and Righteousness: It is truly regrettable and saddening that the meddling of the infidel (kafir) occupier continues in Muslim lands, plotting, commanding, and being obeyed in the subjugation of a nation whose population exceeds one and a half billion Muslims, without any uprising against it! Have decades not been enough, with you spinning in a vicious cycle, oblivious to the need for a comfortable, humiliating existence, when you are a nation that once carried the torches of light and guidance for all of humanity?!

Have you not realized that all this humiliation and degradation that has befallen us is due to the fact that we are a fragmented Ummah without a unifying state or a just leader to rule us according to Allah’s law? An Imam as described by the Messenger of Allah (saw) when he said: «إنَّما الإمامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقاتَلُ مِن ورائِهِ ويُتَّقى بِهِ» “A commander (of the Muslims) is a shield for them. They fight behind him and they are protected by (him from tyrants and aggressors), Has the time not yet come for you to respond to Hizb ut-Tahrir's call to work diligently to restore your glory and honor?! This can be achieved through radical change and the establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate) according to the methodology of the Prophethood, an obligation from our Lord (swt) and a glad tiding from His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Only through it will the Ummah unite under one banner and one leader, thus gaining control of its destiny and dispelling the whispers of Satan from its enemies, as was the case with our righteous predecessors. This is not difficult for Allah, so join the sincere workers striving for this great obligation.

[وَاللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَن يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ]

“and Allah is with you. And He will never let your deeds go to waste.” [Muhammad 47:36]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Iraq