Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has extended a series of changes to senior security and military posts, most recently appointing a new commander for the force responsible for protecting Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone.
The reshuffle comes as security and political preparations accelerate ahead of the scheduled end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq in late September, amid mounting tensions over the weapons held by armed factions.
Iraqi security sources said Zaidi appointed Special Forces Maj. Gen. Osama Abd Tarish commander of the Special Division responsible for protecting the Green Zone. It houses key state institutions, including Baghdad Palace, the president’s official residence; the Government Palace, the prime minister’s headquarters; parliament; and the headquarters of the National Intelligence Service and National Security Service.
The district also houses offices affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, as well as the US, British and Saudi embassies and the UN mission.
Informed sources described the move as completing what amounts to a “military cordon” around vital sites in Baghdad amid concerns that tensions could escalate with armed factions refusing to disarm after the expiration of a government deadline.
Political disagreements have meanwhile prevented the appointment of permanent defense and interior ministers. Zaidi has placed both ministries under his direct authority through the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, headed by Interior Minister Gen. Abdul Amir al-Shammari.
Zaidi has made several other senior security changes in recent months, replacing Counter Terrorism Service chief Gen. Karim al-Tamimi with Lt. Gen. Zaid Houshi and Federal Police commander Maj. Gen. Saad al-Halfi with Lt. Gen. Mohammed Qasim al-Fahd.
Zaidi also referred Lieutenant General Maher Najm, the Interior Ministry’s Intelligence Affairs Undersecretary, to retirement and appointed Lieutenant General Falah Shaghati to the post. Earlier changes included the appointment of Qasim al-Aboudi as National Security Adviser, replacing Qasim al-Araji.
Alongside the security reshuffle, Zaidi has asked parliament’s Security and Defense Committee to draft legislation restricting weapons to state forces.
Informed sources said the move reflects an effort to address the armed factions through legislation as well as security measures, while groups including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba continue to reject disarmament.
The factions are seeking support from political forces, particularly Shiite groups close to Iran, led by the Badr Organization, the sources said. Their efforts include highlighting Türkiye’s military presence in northern Iraq, which they describe as an “occupation” comparable to the US presence, and opposing Iraq’s growing engagement with Arab states.
The government regards bringing weapons under state control as part of strengthening official institutions, while factions opposed to disarmament argue that their security and ideological roles justify retaining their arms.
The dispute poses a key test for Zaidi’s government as Iraq prepares for a new security phase with the international coalition’s mission scheduled to end in late September.
