PMF Sparks Dispute between Washington and Baghdad
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone talks on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on the latest developments in Iraq.
A State Department statement said Rubio 'reiterated serious US concerns with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty.'
Rubio later posted on X: 'We support a prosperous Iraq, free of Iran's pernicious influence.'
Rubio also spoke to Sudani about the recent attacks on energy infrastructure, including those operated by US companies. He stressed the importance of the Iraqi government holding the perpetrators accountable and preventing future attacks, added the State Department.
The Iraqi government has been investigating the recent attacks in northern Iraq with reports widely suspecting Shiite factions of perpetrating them.
Meanwhile, Sudani's press office said Iraq supports efforts to consolidate stability in the region and the sustainability of ceasefire agreements.
The PM added that the recent attacks on oil companies 'target Iraq's national economy.'
On the PMF, Sudani informed Rubio that legislation is part of 'security reform' efforts adopted by his government.
'The PMF is an official Iraqi military institution that works under the authority of the commander of the armed forces,' read the statement from Sudani's office.
The main factions of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework have been pushing for legislations that would enshrine new laws related to the recruitment of PMF fighters.
Head of the Center for Political Thinking in Iraq, Dr. Ihssan Shmary told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US has started to focus more on Iraq in recent months in wake of the American strikes on Iran.
The telephone call between Rubio and Sudani revealed American reservations over the PMF and armed groups in Iraq, he added.
Washington has started to sense that Iran was beginning to consolidate its influence in Iraq through the PMF laws, which led it intervene directly through diplomatic channels, he remarked.
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