The Iraqi Ministry of Interior revealed the registration of more than half a million weapons as part of citizens' weapon registration requests, simultaneously announcing the establishment of a database containing information on approximately 6 million weapons across the country.

The head of the Relations and Media Department at the ministry, Major General Muqdad Miri, stated during a press conference today (Monday) that the committee closed 71 fake locations claiming to be affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Authority, in addition to closing 119 shops for selling weapons or shops whose licenses had expired. He added that the number of licenses for carrying and possessing weapons granted to citizens is 160,759 licenses.

He indicated that the relevant authorities have tracked more than 143,000 stolen weapons, alongside monitoring weapons from 134 private security companies and seizing more than 21,000 weapons, as well as tracking thousands of stolen and lost items.

Miri reported that the committee also monitored the weapons of the Awakening forces, the weapons lost by the Ministry of Interior that were found with security companies, as well as the weapons that were seized or handed over from the coalition forces to the Iraqi side, which numbered more than 277,000 pieces.

He confirmed that the committee's tasks include various types of weapons and related materials, including white weapons, fireworks, explosives, and hunting weapons, noting that 324 injuries resulting from fireworks were recorded during the year 2025.

He announced the seizure of 49 drones during the current year, warning that possessing drones for non-peaceful purposes or illegally may fall under the Anti-Terrorism Law.

He confirmed that the current deadline for weapon registration ends on December 31, 2026, urging citizens to expedite the registration of their weapons, warning that any unregistered weapon after the deadline, if not extended, will be treated as an illegal weapon.

Iraq's plan to restrict weapons to the state is based on a national project launched by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the Permanent National Committee for Weapon Control two years ago, but the current Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi has prioritized this issue since his election.

He has repeatedly emphasized over the past months that Iraq has no option but to regain full control over weapons, stressing that the existence of armed groups outside state institutions poses a threat to the structure of the state.