ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq has set late September as the deadline for armed groups to hand over their weapons to the state, the government announced on Monday, as Washington pressures Baghdad to complete the process and amid a massive anti-corruption campaign by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. 

“The end of next September will be the final date for handing over weapons,” government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said in a press conference. “At the same time, the [US-led] international coalition will withdraw.” 

The Iraqi government under Prime Minister Zaidi has led a renewed drive to disarm armed groups and restrict weapons to state control. The initiative is heavily backed by Washington, who has long pushed for the groups – many of which have strong ties to Iran – to be disarmed. 

Zaidi, who has enjoyed strong US backing since taking office in May, is set to visit Washington in mid-July. Earlier in June, he met US envoy to Iran Tom Barrack, with the two emphasizing the need to ensure “the complete disarmament and disbandment” of non-state armed groups.

Their disarmament is also set to coincide with the withdrawal of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) from Iraq, per an agreement between Washington and Baghdad. 

Since the formation of Iraq's new cabinet, several pro-Iran armed factions have announced their willingness to hand over their weapons and integrate into the state security apparatus, with some also expressing readiness to sever ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The Iraqi government’s deadline also comes amid a massive anti-graft purge by Zaidi which has seen at least 47 high-level officials and lawmakers arrested. Among the arrests was that of Muthanna al-Samarrai, a top Sunni politician and leader of the Azm Alliance. 

“This anti-corruption narrative is unlike its predecessors, and protecting public money is a responsibility that is not affected by people or circumstances,” Aboudi said, stressing that the anti-corruption drive “will not stop.” 

The crackdown began early Sunday when Iraqi security forces carried out raids inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, which is home to the US embassy and other diplomatic missions, as well as the residences of many high-ranking politicians.