Elements of a militia, formerly part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, gathered at the Samarra Operations Command headquarters and symbolically lowered their flag to join state forces.
The military wing of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's movement, Saraya al-Salam, officially handed over the security file of the city of Samarra to the Iraqi army. This move aligns with broader efforts to restructure the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and consolidate state control over security.
Iraq's Joint Operations Command is working to sever ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces in Samarra, ensuring their direct subordination to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. This move aims to consolidate state control over weaponry and integrate these forces into the official military.
