Iraq sets September 21 deadline for armed groups to surrender weapons

The Iraqi government has set September 21 as a final deadline for armed factions to hand over their weapons to state authorities, government spokesman Haider al‑Aboudi said Monday. “Sept. 21 is the final deadline for handing over weapons, and at the same time for the withdrawal of the international coalition,” Aboudi said in statements carried by the state news agency INA.

Funeral ceremonies for Khamenei

Separately, Aboudi said the Iraqi government approved Iran’s request to hold funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iraq on July 8. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would coordinate with Iraq on arrangements for Khamenei’s funeral procession at Iraq’s holy shrines. The ceremonies are expected to draw large crowds of Shia pilgrims from across the region.

State authority and regional context

The disarmament deadline is part of Iraq’s efforts to consolidate state authority and reduce the influence of armed factions, many of which are aligned with Iran. The withdrawal of the US-led coalition, which has been in Iraq since 2014 to combat ISIS, is also scheduled for September 21. For Türkiye, which has long been concerned about the presence of armed militias operating independently of the Iraqi state — particularly those with ties to Iran — the deadline is a positive step. However, Ankara will monitor whether the disarmament is genuine or merely a rebranding of the factions.