ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Saturday met with representatives of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to discuss implementing an initiative aimed at integrating Saraya al-Salam into Iraq's security forces and transferring its weapons to state control.

Sadr on Wednesday announced the “complete separation of Saraya al-Salam from his Shiite National Movement and its complete integration into Iraq's state security forces.” A day later, he issued a directive ordering the separation process to be completed within one week, with the full handover scheduled by Eid al-Ghadir on June 4.

According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Saturday’s meeting was attended by deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command and Zaidi's personal secretary.

The two sides discussed mechanisms for carrying out Sadr's initiative and agreed to establish a committee to oversee the process of integrating the armed group into state security institutions and handing over its weapons to the government.

Zaidi praised what he described as Sadr's “national stance in support of placing weapons under state authority,” according to the statement.

The development comes amid growing efforts by Iraqi authorities to consolidate control over weapons and strengthen the state's monopoly on the use of force.

Sadr’s call was welcomed by Iraqi leaders, including Zaidi, who described it as a “responsible national position supporting state institutions, sovereignty, and the rule of law.”

Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi also praised the initiative, calling it a step toward strengthening state authority and stability.

The decision aligns with a key objective outlined in Zaidi's government program, which identifies restricting weapons to the hands of the state as a central pillar of Iraq's sovereignty agenda.

In a statement on Saturday, the Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbolaah welcomed efforts by factions not involved in the so-called “Islamic Resistance” to hand over their weapons to the state and said armed groups choosing to leave such activities should not face criticism.

The faction added that resistance groups remaining outside the process “would continue carrying out the mission on behalf of those stepping back,” suggesting that armed activities would continue under other factions if necessary.

Saraya al-Salam traces its roots to the Mahdi Army, an armed group founded by Sadr in 2003 to fight US forces following the invasion of Iraq. The group was formally disbanded in 2008 before being partially revived in 2014 under the name Saraya al-Salam.