Iraqis looking to purchase weapons amid deteriorating security situation

Iraq has recorded noticeable activity in the light weapons market in recent days, particularly in Baghdad and several other areas, driven by growing demand from citizens purchasing personal firearms to keep at home. 

The activity is believed to be linked to growing desire for self-protection amid mounting fears of deteriorating security conditions. 

Observers said informal weapons markets have gradually regained activity after years of government attempts to curb the spread of arms among civilians. 

Some shops and intermediaries are witnessing increased demand for light weapons and ammunition, reflecting widespread public anxiety. 

The shift comes as security tensions escalate, with increased rocket and drone attacks carried out by armed factions in different parts of Iraq, alongside airstrikes targeting their positions. 

These developments have revived long-standing fears among Iraqis that their country is slipping into renewed instability and security chaos, particularly amid the inability of security forces to exert full control over  some areas or contain the activity of armed groups. 

A Baghdad resident, Abu Zaid, 63, said he decided to buy a Kalashnikov rifle and keep it at home after concerns over security developments intensified. 

He told The New Arab that “the situation in Iraq is unstable, and there is a general feeling that things could spiral out of control at any moment.” 

He added that it “took several days to find a weapon due to high demand, noting that prices have begun to rise as a result.” 

Another citizen from Diyala province, Majid al-Karkhi, 43, said his family agreed to keep at least one firearm at home as a precaution.

He told The New Arab that “in past years we lived through difficult conditions when security deteriorated, and we learned that having a weapon at home may be necessary to protect the family.” 

He added that “obtaining weapons has become more difficult due to increased demand,” noting that “past experiences with weak security forces in the face of armed factions and criminal gangs compel people to rely on themselves and secure at least one firearm at home.” 

However, security officials have criticised the trend, warning that the renewed spread of weapons among civilians could further complicate the security landscape. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ali al-Shammari of Baghdad police told The New Arab that “the state is responsible for protecting citizens, and our security forces are carrying out their duty with full effort and responsibility. There is no need to turn to purchasing weapons.” 

He added that “the country may experience some security turbulence due to ongoing regional tensions, but security plans remain in place to maintain societal stability,” stressing that “measures continue to prevent any potential deterioration.” 

MPs urge tribes to retain weapons 

MP Mohammed Jamil al-Miyahi, from the Coordination Framework alliance, called on tribes in certain provinces to retain their weapons, warning of what lies ahead. 

In a press statement, he said, “My call to all our tribes is to keep their weapons, as there is an enemy inside Iraq, and sleeper cells have begun to move.”

He added, “If the war continues, targeting of the Popular Mobilisation Forces will continue, and there will be attempts to remove them from some provinces so that sectarianism and problems return. There are those betting on this, in addition to international agendas working toward it.” 

He also criticised previous government steps to “withdraw weapons from some tribes that had used them against ISIS”, warning that “the coming days will be difficult." 

Concerns of renewed militarisation 

A civil activist in Baghdad said the phenomenon reflects a gradual return toward the “militarisation of society", though he noted that citizens’ motives are understandable given Iraq’s difficult security experiences.

Ghazwan al-Jubouri told The New Arab that “many areas had been disarmed in recent years under government plans to control weapons, but residents still remember long periods of fear when armed gangs and outlaw groups controlled areas and committed various crimes.” 

He added that “accumulated anxiety is now pushing citizens to seek self-protection, particularly in areas previously disarmed, amid what some view as a weak capacity by security forces to respond quickly to incidents.” 

He noted that “many Iraqis see a firearm at home not as a tool for fighting, but as a means of protection in case of chaos, especially as trust in security forces remains weak.” 

These developments come despite a national project launched by the Iraqi Interior Ministry in January 2024 called “Restricting weapons to the state", which includes the voluntary purchase of weapons from citizens. 

The government allocated the official “Ur” electronic portal for registration, alongside the establishment of about 697 centres to buy weapons across provinces. However, the renewed surge in demand for weapons amid unstable security conditions threatens to undermine those plans. 

Iraqis’ collective memory of past periods of security breakdown remains strong, prompting some to retain weapons as a precaution against an uncertain and unstable future.

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.