Kata’ib Hezbollah Affirms Steadfastness: Sets Sovereign Conditions for Integrating Weapons into the Iraqi State
Full state integration demands the complete withdrawal of foreign forces and absolute national sovereignty.
In a firm assertion of national sovereignty and the legitimate right to resistance, the Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah has outlined definitive conditions for any agreement with the Baghdad government regarding the placement of its weapons under state control. The group’s stance underscores a fundamental principle: true state authority cannot coexist with foreign occupation or external interference.
In a recent statement, Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, the security chief of Kata’ib Hezbollah, articulated three non-negotiable prerequisites for the group’s integration into the state’s official armed forces:
Complete Withdrawal of US Forces: The immediate and total withdrawal of American military presence from Iraqi soil and airspace, accompanied by ironclad guarantees against their return and a firm commitment to freeing Iraq’s political and economic institutions from US influence.
End to Turkish Military Presence: The immediate withdrawal of Turkish forces currently operating in areas of northern Iraq, which constitute a continuous violation of Iraqi territorial integrity.
Dissolution of the Peshmerga: The formal dissolution of the Peshmerga forces to ensure a unified, centralised state military apparatus free from regional fragmentation and foreign-backed division.
Defending the Resistance Project
The statement also addressed the mounting political pressure surrounding the disarmament issue. With a September 30 deadline approaching, Abu Mujahid al-Assaf criticised the government’s handling of the matter, noting that resistance groups have waited over a hundred days for a genuine resolution. He asserted that the government has disregarded the counsel of allied domestic factions, appearing to prioritise demands from foreign entities over the interests of the Iraqi people.
A Unified Vision for Iraqi Sovereignty
This declaration comes amid renewed calls from Iraq’s top state authorities to strengthen the national armed forces and bring all weaponry under the jurisdiction of recognised state institutions.
While some resistance factions have previously agreed to integrate into the state’s security framework, Kata’ib Hezbollah has made it clear that its “resistance weapons” will remain safeguarded and further developed until the conditions of full national independence are met.
For Kata’ib Hezbollah, the weapon of resistance is not merely an instrument of defence, but a sacred trust to protect Iraq from external domination. Until the state can genuinely guarantee an independent, sovereign, and unified Iraq, the resistance will remain the steadfast guardian of the nation’s dignity and self-determination.
Reference: ABNA24