Iraqi President Barham Salih said yesterday that it is beyond the realm of imagination to expect to assemble a public armed force without confining weapons which are in the possession of state offices, the Turkish Anadolu news organization reported.
In an statement issued for the 100th Army Day celebration, Salih stated:
“Building the army will not be achieved without controlling the uncontrolled weapons and restricting them to the state’s hands, as well as strengthening solidarity and cohesion among Iraqis”.
The Iraqi government has been struggling to control armed factions that attack diplomatic missions in the country.
Salih noted the importance of reorganizing the army as a “national constitutional institution” that protects Iraqi sovereignty and, not as tool in the hands of tyranny and dictatorship.
