In an exclusive Al Jazeera interview, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Baghdad has evidence of attacks from its territory as it works to bring armed factions’ weapons under state control by June 2027.
Hussein said Baghdad was negotiating with Iran-aligned armed factions and had raised the weapons issue with Tehran. He said negotiations should guide how the dispute is resolved. The government’s broader effort to put weapons under state authority was also reflected in its plan to shift Sinjar Mountain security to federal authorities.
Al Jazeera reported that the initial Sept. 30 deadline was set to coincide with the U.S.-led coalition’s planned departure from Iraq. The outlet said the deadline changed after resistance to the weapons policy and amid long-running U.S. pressure on Baghdad to fulfill its pledge.
Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran-aligned groups operating in Iraq for attacks on its oil infrastructure. Baghdad said in September that multiple drone strikes against Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline began inside Iraq.
Al Jazeera’s full interview with Hussein is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (18:00 UTC) Sunday.
