Iraq’s cash-for-arms offer

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Friday said his government will offer cash to militants who surrender their arms by April 8, setting a new deadline for Shia fighters to lay down their weapons.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Friday said his government will offer cash to militants who surrender their arms by April 8, setting a new deadline for Shia fighters to lay down their weapons.

HT Image

“All those who have heavy and medium arms, they should surrender them to the security forces and receive money starting from March 28 until April 8,” Maliki said in a statement issued by his office in Baghdad.

On Wednesday, Maliki had given Shia gunmen fighting Iraqi forces a 72-hour deadline to lay down their arms. That deadline was to end at midnight on Saturday.