Iraq’s Council of Ministers has approved a bill for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), aiming to align it with state military operations while facing potential U.S. sanctions. The PMF, born out of the ISIS crisis in 2014, includes over 70 predominantly Shiite militia groups. Ongoing debates among Shiite factions over PMF governance and autonomy continue amid concerns of U.S. intervention.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a new bill aimed at integrating the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) into the country’s security framework, now awaiting legislative ratification. This initiative seeks to align the PMF’s operations with state military structures amidst concerns regarding potential U.S. sanctions targeting the PMF’s affiliated armed factions. An official source emphasized that this approval aligns with the government’s broader reforms of Iraq’s security institutions.
The PMF, created in response to the rise of ISIS in 2014, encompasses approximately 70 Shiite militias in Iraq. This legislative move follows a series of recent laws intended to regulate security agencies, including the Iraqi National Intelligence Service law and the National Security Service law, establishing a legislative framework for security operations in Iraq.
Details of the PMF bill remain contentious, particularly around governance, retirement age for leaders, and the organization’s structural dynamics. Shiite political factions are in a power struggle over influence within the 250,000-member militia, with concerns regarding PMF’s autonomy and operational oversight arising within the Shiite-led Coordination Framework.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has voiced concerns about Iran-backed groups within the PMF, signaling potential sanctions. Iraq’s Deputy Speaker has indicated that significant decisions from the U.S. government could be imminent, urging awareness on the federal level regarding these developments.
The integration of the PMF through the newly approved bill signifies a critical move towards reforming Iraq’s security landscape. However, the looming threat of U.S. sanctions complicates the situation, particularly concerning Iran’s influence within the PMF. Tensions among Shiite factions regarding governance and structural changes highlight the complexities of managing armed groups in Iraq while ensuring national security and political stability.
Original Source: www.rudaw.net
