Latest news with #PopularMobilization
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Iraq toughens stance against pro-Iran faction after Baghdad clash
The Iraqi government toughened its position towards pro-Iran faction Kata'ib Hezbollah on Saturday, announcing some members would be tried over a recent deadly clash and others had been stripped of their commands. The decision follows an attack on a government office in south Baghdad late last month that killed three people, including a policeman, and which the authorities blamed on the group. Like other armed groups trained by Iran during the war against ISIS, Kata'ib Hezbollah or Hezbollah Brigades were integrated into the regular security forces as part of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) force. However, the faction has developed a reputation for sometimes acting on its own. Iraq's Joint Operations Command previously said that more than a dozen suspects were detained over the July 27 attack on an agriculture ministry office, which was prompted by the sacking of the director. Saturday's government statement said the suspects were 'fighters belonging to Hezbollah Brigades and affiliated to Regiments 45 and 46 of the Hashed al-Shaabi.' It charged that the attack on the ministry's office had been led by the former director. 'In addition to being implicated in several cases of corruption,' the suspected ringleader stood accused of 'falsifying official documents, certificates and contracts so that farmland could be confiscated from its legitimate owners,' the statement said. The government said it regretted 'command and control failings within the Hashed al-Shaabi' and condemned the 'presence of armed factions which do not respect military rules and procedures.' The authorities announced the 'dismissal of the commanders of Regiments 45 and 46' and the prosecution of 'everybody implicated' in the case. A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said 25 people faced trial -- the Kata'ib Hezbollah fighters and the former head of the ministry office. The group says many of those detained had nothing to do with last month's clash. The case comes amid deep divisions in Iraq over a proposed law that would further formalize the role -- and perhaps, the autonomy -- of the Hashed al-Shaabi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the proposed legislation 'would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty.' Formed in 2014 when Iraqis were urged to take up arms against ISIS, the Hashed now counts more than 200,000 fighters and employees, and wields major military and political clout. With AFP
Shafaq News
05-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq-Lebanon to expand ties after tensions
Shafaq News/ Iraq and Lebanon have expanded bilateral cooperation across the energy, health, and education sectors, despite periodic political tensions and divergent internal challenges. The two countries reaffirmed their partnership on Monday during a meeting in Baghdad between Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel and Lebanese Ministers of Energy Joe Saddi and Finance Yassin Jaber. The officials discussed ongoing fuel support, technical cooperation, and coordination on regional energy issues. Despite these shared efforts, recent diplomatic friction exposed underlying sensitivities. In March, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated publicly that 'there will be no Popular Mobilization in Lebanon,' referencing Iraq's model of integrating armed groups into the state framework. The remark was widely interpreted in Baghdad as a rejection of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). However, a follow-up phone call between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Aoun helped defuse tensions, with both sides affirming mutual respect and the importance of political dialogue.
Iraqi News
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Fayadh: We will not fail our people in confronting any conspiracy
The head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh Al-Fayadh, confirmed today, Friday, that the Popular Mobilization will not let down the Iraqi people in standing up to every conspiracy, noting that the Popular Mobilization is an interactive institution that serves the public and always communicates with them. Al-Fayadh said during his participation in the first central conference of the Popular Mobilization Scouts, which was followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "We are full of hope when we see young people interacting with the Popular Mobilization," noting that "the scouting movement contributes to creating a good citizen and drawing national values." Al-Fayadh added that "some are trying to promote the culture of defeat and failure," noting that "the Popular Mobilization is an interactive institution that serves the public and always communicates with it."
