ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Tuesday announced its support for a project to restrict weapons to the state, and sever the Popular Mobilization Forces’ (PMF) ties with “all political, partisan, and social frameworks,” as Iraq ramps up efforts to assert state authority over armed groups.

The framework held a regular meeting late Monday at the residence of former premier Haider al-Abadi, with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in attendance, to discuss “a number of priority national and security issues.”

In a statement following the meeting, the leaders of the ruling body extended support to “the project to restrict weapons to the state and sever the Popular Mobilization Forces' ties with all political, partisan, and social frameworks.”

The move aligns with the Iraqi constitution and the ministerial program approved by the Iraqi parliament during the confidence vote, as well as the completion of the international coalition's mission in Iraq, according to the statement.

Prime Minister Zaidi released his cabinet’s program earlier in May. A copy of the program seen by The New Region showed that the “first pillar” of the state sovereignty section includes “restricting arms to the hands of the state.”

On May 13, Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji stressed that restricting weapons to the state is of “paramount importance” for the country’s next government.

On Wednesday, Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and head of the National Shiite Movement Muqtada al-Sadr announced the “complete separation” of his armed faction Saraya al-Salam from his party, and its “complete integration” within the Iraqi state’s forces.

Sadr’s announcement was welcomed by the Iraqi leadership and national political forces, who further urged other armed groups in the country to follow suit and integrate into the state.

Iraq’s Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah on Saturday welcomed Sadr’s efforts, offering to help Baghdad with the transfer and storage of arms.

Illegal weapons in Iraq stand out as one of the most pressing challenges to security and stability. Unofficial data puts the number of arms within Iraqi society at around 15 million medium and light weapons, with armed groups and tribes possessing the bulk of them.

Iraq’s interior ministry said in late April that it had registered around 5.8 million firearms in a national database.