Tensions mount ahead of Iraq disarmament deadline

Tensions are escalating as Iraq's deadline to disarm all weapons approaches. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government has set the end of September as the deadline for all weapons to be brought under state control, but some factions remain defiant. Meanwhile, others have started to reconsider their stance. Some factions in the Coordination Framework supporting the government are willing to relinquish their arms in exchange for political representation, while others refuse to give up their weapons.

A third camp is urging cooler heads to prevail and not insist on the deadline. Al-Zaidi remains determined to stick to the deadline, even if it means risking his life. A dramatic advertisement by Al Iraqiya, the state television channel, has fueled the fire, with calls for weapons surrender and strong statements from both supporters and opponents of the initiative.

Reports of a plot to assassinate Faiq Zidan, president of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the arrest of Abbas al-Yaqoubi, the Popular Mobilisation Forces intelligence official responsible for the Baghdad belt, have added to the escalating situation. With factions having sharply different views on disarmament, the government's authority is being challenged both domestically and internationally.