Latest news with #PopularMobilizationForces
Shafaq News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US opposes Iraqi PMF law, warns against 'militia' participation in elections
Shafaq News – Washington The United States reaffirmed its opposition to Iraq's proposed law regulating the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), warning that the legislation undermines efforts to strengthen Iraq's sovereignty and existing security institutions. A US State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News that Washington 'strongly opposes any legislation that is inconsistent with the goals of our bilateral security assistance and partnership,' adding that the US supports 'genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that turns Iraq into an Iranian satellite state.' The proposed PMF Authority Law, currently under parliamentary debate in Baghdad, seeks to formalize the role of the PMF within Iraq's official military structure. It is backed by major Shiite factions and presented as part of Iraq's ongoing security reform process. Supporters say it is necessary to regulate the force's budget, define command responsibilities, and integrate it into the military chain of command. However, critics—both within Iraq and abroad—argue the draft would entrench the power of Iran-aligned armed factions. These groups, while operating under the PMF umbrella, have faced repeated accusations of acting independently of the Iraqi state and maintaining loyalty to Tehran. The State Department declined to comment on specific consequences should the law be passed, but warned that Washington will continue to take 'appropriate action' against financial institutions that deal with US-designated terrorist organizations. The United States has designated several factions within the PMF as terrorist groups, including Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kataib Imam Ali. The spokesperson also voiced concern over plans by some PMF-affiliated groups to contest Iraq's next round of elections, despite pledges to disarm and transition into politics. 'We remain deeply concerned about the role of Iran-aligned militia groups operating under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella,' the official said. 'This includes US-designated terrorist groups and affiliated members that have targeted and killed Americans.' A political source familiar with the legislative process told Shafaq News that the bill, originally scheduled for a vote during the current session, is now facing delays due to continued disagreements within Iraq's political parties, as well as within the dominant Shiite bloc over the future structure of the PMF.
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Hashd al-Shaabi close to gaining ministry status in Iraq
The Iraqi parliament is about to vote on a controversial law that redefines the status of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), a coalition of mainly Shiite pro-Iranian armed bill, which passed its second reading on July 16, is raising concerns in Washington, which views it as a step further in cementing Iranian influence in passed, the law would elevate the Hashd to the same institutional level as the Defense and Interior Ministries, marking a major shift in the country's military balance. From our archives Kurdish PKK militants to hand over first weapons in ceremony in Iraq U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly discussed the issue in a phone call on July 22 with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, and his office later condemned a bill that "would...
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US pressures Iraq to block PMF Law, Iraqi MP
Shafaq News – Baghdad MPs and political leaders opposing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority Law will be publicly named if the vote is postponed again, an Iraqi lawmaker told Shafaq News on Tuesday, accusing the United States of pressuring Iraqi parties to block the bill. The Member of the State of Law Coalition, Hussein Mardan, urged Iraqi forces to take a firm national position and resist external influence, stressing that passing the PMF Authority Law is critical to asserting state authority over armed groups. Passing the law aligns with the broader demand to place all weapons under the control of the state, Raed al-Maliki, a member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee told Shafaq News, warning that the PMF currently remains vulnerable to political influence, 'which undermines the role of an institution widely respected for the sacrifices its members made in defending Iraq.' Earlier, a parliamentary session was cut short following a heated exchange between Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, his deputies, and lawmakers from key Shiite and Sunni blocs. The dispute was reportedly triggered by objections to the session's amended agenda, including the contentious PMF Authority Law.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Lawmaker rejects US intervention in PMF bill
Also in Iraq Hezbollah censures Iraqi PM over deadly Baghdad clashes Iraq's reputation at 'risk' if PMF law passes: Former US diplomat Iraqi vows reconstruction, accountability 11 years after Yazidi genocide NGOs call for renewed focus on Yazidi justice on genocide's 11th anniversary A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A bill aimed at further legitimizing pro-Iran armed factions has sparked controversy in Iraq. While the United States has voiced opposition to the move, a lawmaker affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, has rejected Washington's interference. "We reject American interventions, especially regarding the issuance of laws that protect our security institutions. We believe that issuing the PMF law means transferring this force to institutional work... We insist on passing this bill and call on all political forces to cooperate as a gesture of loyalty to the martyrs' blood,' Falih al-Khazali, an Iraqi lawmaker and a PMF leader, told Rudaw on Monday. Washington has expressed increasing caution about the bill that aims to regulate the PMF's structure, salaries, and retirement benefits, a politically sensitive issue given the PMF's central role in Iraq's security framework and the political influence it wields. 'Pursuing this law can put Iraq's reputation at risk both regionally and internationally,' Vincent Campos, former public diplomacy officer at the US State Department, told Rudaw on Monday. 'This law represents everything that is wrong with Iranian influence in Iraq, and everything wrong with having, essentially, an independent militia doing whatever they want.' In response to an email from Rudaw, a State Department spokesperson on Sunday asserted Washington's staunch opposition to the law, labeling it a 'deeply unhelpful step' and explaining that its passage would empower pro-Iran militias in Iraq that have attacked US forces. Jamal Kochar, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw on Monday that the bill seeks more legitimacy for armed factions operating outside the state control. "The US has made clear and explicit threats against passing this bill. This [bill] would grant legitimacy to groups outside the state and allocate a massive budget to them. There are several places in Iraq that even the Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani] cannot visit, like Jurf al-Sakhar [near Baghdad]... Therefore, in our view, this matter is very sensitive, and the first to be harmed will be Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds,' he warned. Steven Fagin, charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Baghdad, met with the Iraqi parliament's First Deputy Speaker Muhsin al-Mandalawi on Sunday, where he 'reiterated U.S. concerns with two proposed PMC/PMF bills,' the embassy said on X. Mandalawi's office did not mention the PMF bill in its own statement, which broadly discussed bilateral cooperation and regional security. The PMF is composed of various armed factions, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US. Among them is Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), whose leader Qais al-Khazali is a senior member of the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, a key component of Iraq's governing coalition. In March, AAH and the State of Law Coalition boycotted a parliamentary session after the PMF bill was excluded from the agenda, forcing its postponement. Halkawt Aziz contributed to this article.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's PMF Law: A battle for state control
Shafaq News As Iraq's parliamentary term draws to a close, a controversial draft law to restructure the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) has reignited a complex political battle that reaches far beyond its military implications. While the Shiite-led Coordination Framework seeks to secure formal legal status for the PMF within the national defense architecture, internal divisions, Kurdish-Sunni bargaining, and mounting US opposition have turned the bill into a flashpoint at the heart of Iraq's statehood debate. The Political Stakes Behind the PMF Law The proposed PMF Authority Law, backed by major Shiite factions, is officially framed as part of Iraq's ongoing security reform. It aims to integrate the PMF—a force originally formed to fight ISIS—into the military chain of command. Supporters argue the law is necessary to standardize ranks, regulate funding, and clarify the PMF's relationship with state institutions. But opponents—both foreign and domestic—view it as an attempt to legitimize powerful Iran-aligned factions and institutionalize a parallel command structure, insulated from civilian oversight. The controversy reflects deeper struggles over the nature of the Iraqi state: whether it will consolidate authority through a unified military, or evolve toward a pluralistic security system shaped by competing political and paramilitary actors. Legal Background and Structural Gaps The PMF was formed in mid-2014 by government order in response to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's fatwa (al-jihad al-kafa'i) after the fall of Mosul. It drew tens of thousands of fighters, including from pre-existing armed factions. In 2016, Iraq's parliament passed the first PMF law, formally recognizing the force—but leaving its command structure and internal regulation vague. The current draft law, which has faced repeated delays, seeks to address those gaps. According to parliamentary sources, the amendments propose: -Military ranking and formal structures. -Defined administrative ties to the Ministries of Defense and Finance. -An internal inspectorate for discipline and oversight. -Military background requirements for PMF leadership. -Formation of internal military councils. -Unique financial entitlements for specific units. Yet critics argue that the draft preserves the PMF's administrative independence while cementing legal protections for its leadership—effectively creating a parallel army. Fragmented Support Within Iraq's Parliament While Coordination Framework blocs hold significant parliamentary sway—especially after the 2022 resignation of Sadrist MPs—consensus on the PMF law remains elusive. Internal rifts, even among Shiite factions, center on leadership appointments and control over PMF deployments in Sunni-majority areas. Kurdish and Sunni lawmakers, while less vocal in public, have played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in blocking the bill. During the July session, both blocs withdrew in protest over the bill's inclusion on the parliamentary agenda. Their objections were procedural and political: citing Article 37 of the parliamentary rules, they argued the bill was added without proper notice, while also using the walkout to apply pressure on broader negotiations. Some Kurdish factions, according to Shafaq News political sources, have linked their support for the PMF law to concessions on unresolved federal-regional disputes, including budget allocations, oil revenues, and control of border crossings. Messages were reportedly sent through intermediaries outlining these conditions for cooperation on 'controversial legislation.' Sunni parties are also split. Most are in favor of not passing the bill most notably former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi's Taqaddum coalition (37 seats), which has voiced reservations tied to influence distribution and executive authority. Observers note that both Kurdish and Sunni leaders fear the law may consolidate what they see as a 'Shiite army' with disproportionate influence—yet are equally motivated by the opportunity to extract political gains in return for their votes. With Kurdish and Sunni MPs holding over 120 of 329 seats, their coordinated opposition could block passage, despite the Coordination Framework's control of at least 130 seats. The ambiguous positions of independents and small parties further complicate the math, making consensus difficult. US Pressure and Strategic Alarm The United States has expressed firm and repeated opposition to the PMF law. Pentagon officials told Shafaq News they view the draft as a direct enhancement of Iran's influence in Iraq. The US Embassy in Baghdad echoed this stance, with Chargé d'Affaires Steven Fagin warning that the legislation risks legitimizing groups the US classifies as terrorist organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, warned that the law would institutionalize Iranian-backed armed groups and undermine Iraqi sovereignty. This message was reiterated in a State Department statement, which called the law 'deeply concerning.' A report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy argued that the US would respond by sanctioning PMF leaders with ties to Iran, freezing components of the US-Iraq security partnership, or conditioning military aid on security-sector reforms. Despite the US warnings, the Iraqi government has stood by its position. A statement from al-Sudani's office described the bill as a sovereign initiative consistent with previous legislation for other agencies, such as the Intelligence and National Security Services. The PMF, it stated, is a 'formal military institution operating under the Commander-in-Chief.' Independent Voices, Strategic Fears Former Iraqi diplomat Dr. Ghazi Faisal told Shafaq News that the PMF law is evolving from a regulatory tool into a 'ticking political bomb.' He cautioned that enshrining the PMF's autonomy would fracture the military command hierarchy and facilitate dual loyalties within Iraq's security system. Faisal warned that unless national consensus is reached, the law could trigger a serious confrontation with Washington and contribute to the erosion of centralized authority. 'We risk institutionalizing a force whose chain of command is not fully loyal to the state.' Efforts by Shafaq News to solicit formal comments from major Kurdish and Sunni parties were met with silence. Spokespersons declined to give on-record positions, noting only that 'all matters will be resolved legally within parliament through dialogue.' Government in the Crossfire Political analysts interviewed by Shafaq News say Prime Minister al-Sudani is walking a tightrope. On one hand, his administration is beholden to the Coordination Framework's legislative agenda. On the other, it seeks to avoid antagonizing Washington at a time when Iraq remains economically fragile and engaged in sensitive IMF and financial negotiations. Strategic expert Ahmed al-Yasiri noted that the US views the PMF law as part of a larger regional contest for influence. The fear is that codifying PMF independence will entrench a legislative precedent that future governments cannot undo. Between Passage and Paralysis Shafaq News has learned from informed sources that US diplomatic efforts to halt the law remain active. While the draft may still be revived in a future session, its fate now depends on a complex equation: intra-Shiite cohesion, Kurdish and Sunni leverage, and the extent to which foreign pressure can shape Iraq's legislative agenda. Ultimately, the PMF law has become a symbol of Iraq's unresolved struggle between the logic of a unified state and the reality of competing armed power centers.
