ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Wednesday warned his advisors against expressing personal opinions that do not align with the government agenda while issuing press statements, giving them the option to resign otherwise.

According to a statement from Sudani’s office, the premier “has directed all advisors to refrain from issuing press statements that deviate from the established government frameworks or express personal opinions not aligned with the official government stance.”

Sudani has also emphasized that the advisors are prohibited from making public statements or media engagements without prior approval.

“Advisors have been given the option to either continue in their official roles, adhering to these directives, or relinquish their positions and advisory responsibilities, thereby gaining the freedom to express their personal views publicly,” the statement added.

The reason for the directive remains unclear, but comes a day after Ibrahim al-Sumaidaei, one of his advisors, said during an interview with a local channel that the Iraqi government has received an international request asking for the disarmament of armed factions.

Sumaidaei’s comments sparked heavy backlash from supporters of Shiite factions online.

Several allegations of corruption have tainted Sudani’s reign, most notably the reveal of a wiretapping network inside the government building where the prime minister’s office is located, headed by Mohammed Juhi, assistant director of the administrative department at Sudani’s office.

A Baghdad court last week sentenced Juhi and one of his accomplices to four years in prison due to their involvement in the case, only mere days after Sudani had described the eavesdropping claims as “the lie of the century” during an attendance at the parliament.