Iraq’s Moqtada Al Sadr Announces Integration of Armed Faction Into Iraq State Forces

“Iraqi Shiite cleric and former militia leader Moqtada Al Sadr on Wednesday announced the ‘complete separation’ of his armed faction, Saraya Al Salam, and its integration into the country's state forces. The announcement comes at a time of increasing pressure on the Iraqi government to bring armed groups under state control, a step that the new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has pledged to pursue. . . . Mr Al Zaidi was quick to welcome the announcement. ‘In this context, we call upon all armed factions to follow the same responsible national path and operate under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions in order to guarantee the protection of Iraq,’ he said.”