Iraqi Minister of Interior Abdul Amir al-Shammari announced on Monday a plan to buy back weapons from citizens, describing security control on the borders, especially in the central and southern regions of the country, as “at its best.”
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the North Basra Police Directorate, Shammari underscored the success in securing borders with neighboring countries compared to recent years.
The minister’s statements come about two weeks after the inauguration a 160-kilometer-long concrete insulating wall on the country’s western border with Syria.
Iraq has been suffering for years from security instability on its borders, whether with Iran in the east, with Syria in the west, or in the north with Türkiye.
The instability increased the smuggling of drugs and allowed the infiltration of terrorists, members of militias and “jihadists” across the border.
Al-Shammari pointed to efforts by the Directorate of Drug Affairs in Basra to curb drug operations, by arresting traffickers from neighboring countries and Iraqi dealers, in addition to tightening control on the borders.
He added that that authorities plan to meet with local judges, tribal elders, and community groups to further strengthen cooperation.
The minister revealed that the authorities have developed a buyback program that would allow gun owners to register light weapons on the “Ur” e-government platform and hand them in at local police stations.
Another part of the plan would have the state allocate one billion dinars to each governorate across the country to purchase medium and heavy weapons from owners, he explained, stressing that initiative would continue through the end of 2024 in an effort to eliminate the possession of arms.
Official figures showed that more than 7 million light, medium and heavy weapons are in possession of the citizens. In 2022, tribal conflicts erupted in the governorates of Basra, Maysan, and Dhi Qar, which saw the use of heavy weapons, such as mortars, and medium weapons, such as anti-armor launchers.
