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Popular Mobilization Forces
الحشد الشعبي
al-Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī
Flag used by the Popular Mobilization Forces
Flag of the Popular Mobilization Forces
Active15 June 2014 – present[1]
CountryIraq
AllegianceIran(IRGC)[2][3][4][5]
BranchParamilitary[6]
RoleCounter-insurgency
Raiding
Urban warfare
Size60,000 (2014)[7]
230,000 (PMF claim)[8]
Part ofIraqi Armed Forces[9][10]
Engagements
Websiteal-hashed.gov.iq
Commanders
LeadersFalih Al-Fayyadh
(Chairman of Popular Mobilization Committee)
SeeStructure
Notable fightersAbu Azrael
Abu Tahsin al-Salihi
Insignia
Patch
SpokesmanAhmed Al Asadi
Dates of operation15 June 2014–present[1]
Group(s)SeeStructure
HeadquartersBaghdad
Active regionsInternational
In Syria:
Aleppo Governorate
Deir ez-Zor Governorate
IdeologyFactions:
Shia Islamism
Islamic unity(claimed)[11][12]
Anti-Sunnism[13][14]
Anti-West[15]
Anti-LGBT[16]
Political positionRight-wing[17]
AlliesState allies

Non-state allies

OpponentsState opponents

Non-state opponents

Designated as a terrorist groupbyCertain pro-Iran militant groups only:

ThePopular Mobilization Forces(PMF) (Arabic:قوات الحشد الشعبي,romanized:Quwwāt al-Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī),[41]also known as thePopular Mobilization Units(PMU), is anIraqistate-sponsoredparamilitarynetwork composed of about 67 armed factions that are mostlyIran-backed[42][43]Shiagroups, but also includeSunni Muslim,Christian,andYazidigroups.[44][45][46][47]The Popular Mobilization Units were formed in 2014 and fought in nearly every major Iraqi battle againstIslamic State.[48]Many of its main militias that belong to the Shia faction, trace their origins to the "Special Groups",Iranian-sponsored Shi'ite groups that previously fought in theIraqi insurgencyagainst theUnited Statesand theCoalition forces,as well as a sectarian conflict against SunniJihadistandBa'athistinsurgents.[44][49]It has been labeled the newIraqi Republican Guardafter it was fully reorganized in early 2018 by its then-CommanderHaider al-Abadi,Prime Minister of Iraqfrom 2014 to 2018, who issued "regulations to adapt the situation of the Popular Mobilization fighters".[50]

Some of its component militias which are pro-Iran are considered terrorist groups by some states and have been accused of promoting sectarian violence.[51][52][53]Pro-Iran organizations in the PMF include theBadr Organisation,Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq,Kata'ib Hezbollah,Kata’ib al-Imam Ali,Saraya Khorasani,etc.[54]During the2019–2021 Iraqi protests,the pro-Iran groups were responsible for killing and wounding large numbers of protesters and activists.[55][56][57][58][59]Pro-Iran PMF groups have also fought againstpro-SistaniandSadristPMF groups, and their increasing rivalry erupted intoviolent clashesin 2022.[60][61]Since 2020, Iranian-backed PMF groups have launched attacks againstAmericanand allied forces in the region, claiming them under the name "Islamic Resistance in Iraq".[62][63][64][65][66][67][68]

Logos and flags

PMF troops enterFallujahafter theThird Battle of Fallujahwith flags of Iraq and the local militia

While the factions have their own flags,[51]a yellow or white flag with the phrase "Al-Hashd Al-Sha'bi" is also used by PMF[69]along with theIraqi flag.[70][71][72][73]

Name

With regard to the official native name, the Arabic wordالشعبي(ash-Shaʿbī) translates as "people's" or "popular", as referred to the people; the Arabic wordالحشد(al-Ḥashd) translates as "mobilization", as in the group of people mobilized rather than the process of mobilization. In other contexts,al-hashdmay translate as other terms such as "crowd", "horde", "throng", "gathering".

Background and formation

Further information:Special Groups (Iraq)

The PMF trace their origins to the so-calledSpecial Groups,a US term to designate groups of theIraqi insurgencywhich wereShiite,supported and funded by the IranianQuds Force,as opposed toBa'atahist loyalistor radicalsunni salafi jihadistinsurgents. The Special Groups fought both the US-ledCoalition forces,but also the afforementioned Ba'ath and sunni insurgent in a sectarian conflict.[49]Originally, there were seven forces in the PMF, which had been operating with Nouri al-Maliki's support since early 2014.[45]These were:

According to Faleh A. Jabar and Renad Mansour for theCarnegie Middle East Center,Prime MinisterNouri al-Malikiused these forces to combat the emergence ofISILand maintain his influence in predominantlySunniareas.[45]

PMF troops enter re-capturedFallujah

The People's Mobilization Forces (PMF) were formed by the Iraqi government on 15 June 2014 after top Iraqi Shia clericAli al-Sistani's non-sectarian[45]fatwaon "Sufficiency Jihad" on 13 June.[1]The fatwa called for defending Iraqi cities, particularlyBaghdad,and to participate in the counter-offensive againstISIL,following theFall of Mosulon 10 June 2014.[1][74]The forces brought together a number of Shia militias, most of which receive direct support fromIran,along with a small number of Sunni tribesmen by uniting existing militias under the "People's Mobilization Committee" of theIraqi Ministry of Interiorin June 2014.[75]The forces would fall under the umbrella of the state's security services and within the legal frameworks and practices of the Ministry of Interior. On 19 December 2016, Iraqi PresidentFuad Masumapproved a law passed by parliament in November that incorporated PMU in the country's armed forces. The pro-AssadwebsiteAl-Masdar Newsreports that, with this incorporation, the PMU are now subject to the supreme commander of the national armed forces and will no longer be affiliated to any political or social group.[76][better source needed]However, many of these irregulars have continued to operate independently of the Iraqi state.[77]

On 21 March 2017, the PMU announced the launch of aspecial forcescourse, in order to create a Special Forces Division. The training program covered a variety of missions with direction from theIraqi Special Operations Forces.[78][better source needed]On December 11, 2017, the PMU began to be entirely consolidated under theIraqi Armed Forces,following a call by AyatollahAli al-Sistanito integrate.[48]However, as late as May 2018, this integration had yet to take place, and PMF members remained without the same wages and privileges as soldiers in the regular Iraqi Armed Forces.[79]

According to some sources, the Popular Mobilization Forces have made a fundamental difference on the battlefield, as they have undermined the superiority of ISIL at the level ofguerrilla warfare,as well as at the level of thepsychological operations.[80]

Structure

The umbrella organizationTribal Mobilization(ar) is also a part of PMU.[81][82][83]

Unit Commander Parent militias, parties, and tribes
1st Brigade[84] Badr OrganizationandLiwa al-Imam Muhammad al-Jawad[84]
2nd Brigade[84] Imam Ali Combat Division (affiliated with Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf)[84]
3rd Brigade[84] Tashkil Asad Amerli[84] Badr Organization[84]
4th Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
5th Brigade (Tashkil al-Karar unit)[84] Abu Dergham al-Maturi (formerly)[84] Badr Organization[84]
6th Brigade[84] Ahmad al-Asadi[84] Kata'ib Jund al-Imam(Islamic Movement in Iraq)[84]
7th Brigade[84] Dagher al-Mousawi[84] Liwa al-Muntadhar[84]
8th Brigade[84] Abu Ahmed Khadhim al-Jabiri[85] Saraya Ashura(ar)[84][86]
9th Brigade[84] Liwa Karbala' and Badr Organization[84]
10th Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
11th Brigade[84][87] Ali al-Hamdani[88] Liwa Ali al-Akbar[84]
12th Brigade[84] Akram al-Ka'abi[84] Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba[84]
13th Brigade[84] Qasim Muslih[84] Liwa al-Tafuf[84]
14th Brigade[84] Abu Ala al-Walai[89] Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada[84]
15th Brigade[84] Quwat al-Shaheed al-Sadr(ar) (Islamic Dawa Party) and Kata'ib al-Fatah al-Mubin[84]
16th Brigade[84] Turkmen Brigadesand Badr Organization[84]
17th Brigade[84] Hassan al-Sari[90] Saraya al-Jihad[84]
18th Brigade[84] Ali al-Yasiri[91] Saraya al-Khorasani(ar)[84]
19th Brigade[84] Abd al-Zahra al-Swei'adi[84] Ansar Allah al-AwfiyaandTashkil al-Hussein al-Tha'ir[84]
20th Brigade[84] Hashim Ahmad al-Tamimi[84] Liwa al-Taff[84]
21st Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
22nd Brigade[84] Abu Kawthar al-Muhammadawi[84] Badr Organization[84]
23rd Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
24th Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
25th Brigade[84] Quwat al-Shaheed al-Sadr(ar) (Islamic Dawa Party)[84]
26th Brigade[84] al-Abbas Combat Division[84]
27th Brigade[84] Badr Organization and Quwat al-Shaheed al-Qa'id Abu Muntadhar al-Muhammadawi[84]
28th Brigade[84] Jalal al-Din Ali al-Saghir[84] Saraya Ansar al-'Aqeeda(ar)[84]
29th Brigade[84] Ahmad al-Fariji[84] Kata'ib Ansar al-Hujja[84]
30th Brigade[84] Shabak Militiaand Badr Organization[84]
31st Brigade[84] Adnan al-Shahmani[84][92] Kata'ib al-Tayyar al-Risali(ar) (Risaliyun/The Upholders of the Message)[84]
33rd Brigade[84] Sami al-Masoudi[92] Quwat Wa'ad Allah(Islamic Virtue Party)[84]
35th Brigade[84] Quwat al-Shaheed al-Sadr(ar) (Islamic Dawa Party)[84]
36th Brigade[84] Lalish Regiment, Liwa al-Hussein, and Badr Organization[84]
39th Brigade[84] Harakat al-Abdal (fr)[84]
40th Brigade[84] Shabal al-Zaidi[84] Kata'ib al-Imam Ali(Islamic Movement of Iraq)[84]
41st Brigade[84] Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq[84]
42nd Brigade[84] Quwat/Liwa [al-Shaheed] al-Qa'id Abu Mousa al-Amiri (Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq)[84]
43rd Brigade[84] Saba' al-Dujail (Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq)[84]
44th Brigade[84] Hamid al-Yasiri[84] Liwa Ansar al-Marja'iyya(ar)[84]
45th Brigade[84] Saraya al-Dafa al-Shaabi[93] Kata'ib Hezbollah[84]
46th Brigade[84] Saraya al-Difa' al-Sha'abi (Kata'ib Hezbollah)[84]
47th Brigade[84] Saraya al-Difa' al-Sha'abi (Kata'ib Hezbollah)[84]
50th Brigade[84][94][95] Rayan al-Kaldani[84] Babylon Brigade (Babylon Movement)[84]
51st Brigade[84] Salah al-Din Brigade(ar)[84]
52nd Brigade[84] Mahdi Taqi al-Amerli[84] Turkmen Brigadesand Badr Organization[84]
53rd Brigade[84] Mukhtar al-Musawi[84] Liwa al-Husseinand Badr Organization[84]
55th Brigade[84] Tashkil Malik al-Ashtar.[84] Badr Organization[84]
56th Brigade[84] Hussein Ali Najm al-Juburi[84] Liwa Hashd Shuhada' Kirkuk (Union of National Forces Party)[84]
66th Brigade[84] Saraya Ansar al-Aqeeda(ar)[84]
88th Brigade[84] Sheikh Wanas al-Jabara[84]
90th Brigade[84] Ahmad al-Juburi[84] Fursan al-Jubur[84]
91st Brigade[84] Abd al-Raheem al-Shammary[84]
Abd al-Khaliq al-Mutlak al-Jarba[96]		 Nawader Shammar[84](Shammartribal force)[96]
92nd Brigade[84] Abd al-Rahman al-Luwaizi[84] Turkmen Brigades
99th Brigade[84] Sa'ad Sawar[84] Jaysh al-Mu'ammal[84]
110th Brigade[84] Badr Organization[84]
201st Brigade[84] Ninawa Guards[84]
313th Brigade[84] Saraya al-Salam[84]
314th Brigade[84] Saraya al-Salam[84]
14th Regiment[97] Omar Fadhil al-Alaf[97] Mosulnatives (mostly from al-Arabi neighbourhood)[97]
38th Regiment ( "Banners of Iraq" )[98] Sheikh Faris al-Sab'awi†[98]
Sheikh al-Meqdad Faris[98]		 Sab'aween tribe[98]
39th Regiment[99] Qayyarahbranch of theJuburtribe[99]
41st Regiment ( "Force of Determination" )[100] Muhammad Ahmad Abdullah al-Waka ( "Abu al-Karar" )[100] Jubur tribe[100]
80th Regiment[101] Sinjar Resistance Units[101]
Wathiq al-Firdousi[102] Quwat al-Bairaq – Kata'ib al-Shahid al-Awwal

In February 2019, (PMF) raided a base belonging toAbu al-Fadl al-Abbas Forces,during the raid the group's leader Aws al-Khafaji was arrested by Iraqi forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces claimed that the raid was part of an ongoing operation to crack down on fake groups claiming to be part of PMF in order to commit crimes. The group also never formally declared itself as part of PMF nor had it ever registered as part of PMF with the Iraqi government.[103]

In 2020, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada formed theIslamic Resistance in Iraq.

Composition and organization

While there are no official data about the strength of the Popular Mobilization Forces, there are some estimates, differing significantly. AroundTikritreports in 2015 suggested there were about 20,000 engaged militiamen, while the grand total ranges are from 2–5 million[104]to 300,000–450,000 Iraqi armed forces.[105]Higher estimates have included about 40,000 Sunni fighters in 2016,[106]a figure evolving from reports in early 2015, which counted 1,000 to 3,000 Sunni fighters.[107][108]By early March 2015 the Popular Mobilization Forces appeared to be strengthening its foothold in theYazidistown ofShingalby recruiting and paying local people.[109]

The Popular Mobilization Forces consist of both new volunteers and pre-existing militias, which have been grouped within the umbrella organization formally under the control of the Ministry of Interior Popular Mobilization Units directorate.[110][111]Among these militias there are thePeace Companies(formerly known as the Mahdi Army),Kata'ib Hezbollah,Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada,Kata'ib al-Imam Ali,Asa'ib Ahl al-Haqand theBadr Organization.[112]

Prime MinisterHaider al-Abadiordered on April 7, 2015, that the Popular Mobilization Forces be placed under the direct command of the prime minister's office,[113]thus giving a further official status to the militia.[114]

In 2015, the chairman of the Popular Mobilization Committee in the Iraqi government wasFalih al-Fayyadh,who is also the National Security Adviser.[115]The Popular Mobilization Committee is under the Office of Prime Minister.[45]The PMF are said to have been led on the battlefields by Jamal Jaafar Mohammed, also known asAbu Mahdi al-Muhandis,the head of Kata'ib Hezbollah,[116][117]but thechain of commandruns through pre-existing leaders.[118]According to Iraqi sources, as well as to the London-based pro-SaudiAsharq Al-Awsat,the different militias rely on their own chain of command, and rarely work together[104]or follow regularIraqi Army's orders.[119]

The Laws and conduct by which the PMF should abide are those of theIraqi Governmentsince theIraqi Prime Ministerhas the final control over the PMF. Nonetheless,Marja'Ali al-Sistaniissued an "Advice and Guidance to the Fighters on the Battlefields" which included a 20 points form of how the PMF should conduct themselves. The main points were that the PMF should treat the liberated areas locals with theIslamic Lawwhich is as quoted from the second point which is aHadithof the MuslimProphet Muhammed;"Do not indulge in acts of extremism, do not disrespect dead corpses, do not resort to deceit, do not kill an elder, do not kill a child, do not kill a woman, and do no not cut down trees unless necessity dictates otherwise".[120]Other points included the same aforementioned guidance when treating non-Muslims and also not to steal or disrespect people even if they are the families of theISISfighters.[120][non-primary source needed]

Alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, other people in charge of the PMF includeQais al-Khazali,commander of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, andHadi Al-Amiri,the chief of theBadr Organization.[121]According toThe New York Times,such organizational autonomy may present a challenge to the consolidation of Haider al-Abadi's authority.[122]Volunteers include Shia Arabs, and smaller numbers of Iraqi Christians, Sunni Arabs, and Shia Turkmen.[45]

The militias are trained and supported by military advisers fromTurkey(for Sunni and Turkmeni troops),[123]Iran,andHezbollah,[124]including prominentQuds Forcefigures, such as (until his 2020 death)Qasem Soleimani.[125]The PMF also appeared to have deployed at least a regiment under the command of Colonel Jumaa al-Jumaily inAl Anbar Governorate.[126]They are also said to have their own military intelligence, administrative systems,[104]a sort of "media war team" that provides morale boosting, battlefield updates and propaganda videos,[127]and a court of law.[128]

Shia Arab component

PMF commanders withIRGCadvisors during theHawija offensive (2017)

According to a Sunni newspaper, there are three main Shia components within the Popular Mobilization Forces: the first are the groups that were formed following Sistani's fatwa, without political roots or ambitions; the second are groups that were formed by political parties or are initially the military wings of these parties, with definite political characterization; the third is the armed groups that have been present in Iraq for years and have fought battles against US forces and also participated in operations in Syria.[110]

According to Faleh A. Jabar and Renad Mansour for The Carnegie Foundation, the Popular Mobilization Forces are factionally divided into three Shia components: a component pledging allegiance toSupreme Leader of IranAli Khamenei;a faction pledging allegiance to Grand AyatollahAli al-Sistani;and the faction headed by Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.[45]

The most powerful groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces are the groups which maintain strong ties with Iran and pledge spiritual allegiance to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.[45]The pro-Khamanei faction would consist of already established parties and of relatively small paramilitaries: Saraya Khurasani, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Kata'ib Abu Fadhl al-Abbas, the Badr Organization and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. These groups serve as a kind of border guard—a sort of Iranian insurance policy against threats on its immediate border.[45]Their leaders publicly take pride in such affiliations, professing religious allegiance to Khamenei and his notion ofVilayat al-Faqih.[45]

According to Faleh A. Jabar and Renad Mansour, the pro-Sistani faction consists of those armed groups formed by Sistani's fatwa to defend Shia holy sites and by paramilitary of theIslamic Supreme Council of Iraq.[45]There are four major groups organized by Najaf: Saraya al-Ataba al-Abbasiya, Saraya al-Ataba al-Hussainiya, Saraya al-Ataba al-Alawiya, and Liwa 'Ali al-Akbar, corresponding to Shia holy sites inKadhimiya,Karbala,andNajaf.[45]The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq also swears allegiance to Sistani. After the Badr Organization left the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, its leader Ammar al-Hakim formed new paramilitary units, including Saraya el-Jihad, Saraya el-'Aqida, and Saraya 'Ashura.[45]

Muqtada al-Sadr's Peace Companies (Saraya al-Salam) were founded in June 2014 from the Mahdi Army. According to Faleh A. Jabar and Renad Mansour, the Sadrists have largely been cut off from Iranian funding.[45]

According to Shia P.M.F. officials, the recruitment campaign is successful also because it is administered by the religious establishment and Shia religious scholars from the hawza are instrumental in recruitment.[129]Recruitment via Shia Islamist political party structures and even individual clerics or members of parliament is pursued more the official PMF Commission, which lacks recruitment offices.[45]

Sunni Arab component

In early stages of the PMF, the Shia component was almost exclusive and the Sunni one was negligible since it counted only 1,000 to 3,000 men.[108]In January 2016, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi approved the appointment of 40,000 Sunni fighters to the Popular Mobilization Forces. According toAl-Monitor,his move was decided in order to give a multiconfessional image to the Forces; however, Sunni fighters began to volunteer even before the al-Abadi's decision. Adding Sunni fighters to the Popular Mobilization Units could set the stage for the force to become the core of the envisionedNational Guard.[106]According toThe Economist,as of late April 2016 the Hashd had approximately 16,000 Sunnis.[130]

It has been observed that the Sunni Arab tribes that took part in al-Hashd al-Shaabi 2015 recruitment are those which also had good relations with Nouri al-Maliki during his tenure as Prime Minister.[131]

According to Yazan al-Jabouri, a secular Sunni commander of anti-ISIS Liwa Salahaddin, as of November 2016, there were 30,000 Iraqi Sunnis fighting within the ranks of PMUs.[132]

Shia Turkmen component

The Turkmen Hashd overall constitute around four thousand members and are called “Brigade 12”.[18]

According to Faleh A. Jabar and Renad Mansour for The Carnegie Foundation, Shia TurkmenjoinedPopular Mobilization Forces in order to increase their local autonomy from theKurdistan Regionand in order to counter Sunni Turkmen, who joined the Islamic State.[45]

Christian component

There is also Christian and Shabak PMF units in Ninawa plains.[18]The Imam Ali Brigades trained two Christian units called Kata’ib Rouh Allah Issa Ibn Miriam Brigades and Babylon.[133]

Equipment

Popular Mobilization Forces fire amortarduring the Hawija offensive in 2017.

The equipment of the Popular Mobilization Forces is a major issue. At the end of January 2015, a video showed a largeKata'ib Hezbollahconvoy transporting several American-made military vehicles, including anM1 Abrams Tank,M113 armoured personnel carriers,Humvees,andMRAPvehicles as well as Iranian-madeSafir 4×4sand technicals with Kata'ib Hezbollah's flags flying.[134]According to some sources, the Iraqi government is supplying U.S.-provided military equipment to the militias.[135][136]Iraqi minister of transportation, and the head of the Badr Organization, Hadi Al-Amiri criticized the U.S. for the lack of providing arms.[137]On the other hand, U.S. officials argue that the operators of heavy weapons allegedly taken over by Kata'ib Hezbollah were regular Iraqi soldiers who raised the Hezbollah flag merely in solidarity with the militant group, while the same source acknowledged that it is generally difficult to monitor U.S.-made weapons.[138]

Alongside U.S.-made military equipment handed over to or fallen into the hands of Popular Mobilization Forces, Iran is a major supplier. According to some sources, in 2014 Tehran sold Baghdad nearly $10 billion worth of weapons and hardware. Furthermore, there is a daily supply of Iranian weapons,[139]including Iranian-made 106 mm anti-tank guns as well as 120 mm, 82 mm and 60 mm mortars.[140]

In May 2015, the United States started delivering about $1.6 billion worth of military equipment under the supervision of the Government of Iraq. According to some sources, the major beneficiaries of the weapons deliveries are to be the Popular Mobilization Forces.[141]

Heavy armour seemed to be operated by Popular Mobilization Forces in the operations surrounding thebattle of Mosul.[142]

History and major engagements

The Popular Mobilization Forces have been involved in several battles of themilitary intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levantsince their founding, the most important being theSecond Battle of Tikrit.After the end of the battle of Tikrit, the complex of occupation forces handed over security issues to local police and security forces.[143]

On Monday April 6, 2015, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that, while being heavily involved in the conquest of Tikrit, the Popular Mobilization Forces will not join the planned Mosul conquest.[144]This statement was reversed in March 2016, when al-Abadi reportedly rejected calls byNineveh's provincial council to prohibit Popular Mobilization Forces from taking part in retaking Mosul.[145]

Shia volunteers reportedly enteredAl Anbar Governorateon the first days of May 2015, among heavy protests of Sunnite personalities,[146][147]with limited operations continuing in 2016.[148]

In Autumn 2016, they participated in theMosul Offensiveacting as left flank of the anti-IS forces, and by November had captured a number of smaller towns and villages from IS, expanding roughly along a line from Qayyarah to Tal Afar, while keeping a distance (20+ km) to the city of Mosul itself.

In October 2017, the PMF was part of the Iraqi government forces thatrecapturedKirkuk,[149]which had been underKurdishcontrol since 2014.[150]

Engagement in Syria

Khomeinist PMF militia factions loyal to theIranian Supreme Leaderhave been heavily deployed in theSyrian civil waron the side of theAssad regime,often with the stated aim of defending Shi'ite shrines.[151]Although at the time of the formation of the PMF, most of its component groups were primarily engaged in Iraq against ISIL, after the reduction of the immediate ISIL threat in Iraq from 2015, many returned to Syria. For instance, in January 2015, pro-IranKata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhadamilitant group announced the deaths of two of its fighters in defense ofSayyidah Zaynab MosqueinDamascus,and the militia's involvement in the2015 Southern Syria offensivewas documented by the Iraqi TV station Al-Anwar 2.[152]Between 2013 and early 2016, 1,200 Iraqi fighters died in Syria, including combatants of pro-Iran militiasAsa'ib Ahl al-HaqandKata'ib al-Imam Ali,among them senior commandersAbu al-FadlandAbu Haider al-Nazari.[153]

On the other hand,pro-SistaniandSadristPMF militias wary of Iranian influence inIraqare strongly opposed to theintervention in Syriaand have been resisting recruitment attempts made by pro-Iran factions to send Iraqis to die on the side ofAssad regime.[154]

Terrorism

Kata'ib Hizballah,one of the forces of the PMF, is listed by Japan'sPublic Security Intelligence Agencyas a terrorist organization.[155]The United Arab Emirates also classifies it as terrorist.[156]Kata'ib Hizballah was designated a terrorist entity in 2009 by the United States.[157]Its leader,Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis,was also designated a terrorist.[158]In March 2019, U.S. designatedHarakat al-Nujabaand its leaderAkram al-Ka'abiSpecially Designated Global Terrorists(SDGT). In 2020,Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq,a powerful Iran-backed militia, part of the PMF, was designated as aForeign Terrorist Organizationby the United States.[159]In November 2023, U.S. added PMF militiaKata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhadato its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.[160]In June 2024,Ansar Allah al-Awfiyawas designated as a terrorist organization, following several attacks on U.S. bases in the region including theTower 22 drone attack.[161]

Involvement in 2019–2021 Iraqi protests

During the2019–2021 Iraqi protests,which called for the end of the sectarian political system, some militias associated with PMF took part in the protests by using live bullets, marksmen, hot water, hot pepper gas andtear gasagainst protesters, leading to over 1,000 deaths and over 30,000 injuries.[162][163][164][165]

Domestic criticisms and war crimes accusations

Some of the militias constituting the Popular Mobilization Forces have been accused of war crimes motivated by sectarian revenge. According toAmnesty Internationalin 2014, Shia militias have abducted, tortured and killed numerous Sunni civilians[80][166]and, according to Western sources, in Tikrit militants have committed some violence, while being publicly praised;[108]In the wake of the conquest of Tikrit, Iraqi authorities declared that war crimes would be investigated and their perpetrators punished.[144]

High Shia authorities, such as GrandAyatollah Ali al-Sistaniand AyatollahHussein Al-Sadr,called on the militants in the PMF to refrain from war crimes or other despicable behaviour.[167]In 2015,ad hocgovernment inquiry committees were established to investigate civilian deaths attributed to the militias.[168]

In 2016, Mosul Sunni dignitaries and officials accused the PMF of killings of Sunnis, takeovers of schools and forcing Sunnis to sell property in the prime real estate area close to the Mosul shrine. According to City council's deputy chairman Muzher Fleih, 650 Sunnis have disappeared. Militia leaders insist any abuses are isolated incidents,[128]and target only captured Islamic State's collaborators.[169]

Alongside war crimes accusations, concerns regarding the constitutionality and politicization of al-Hashd al-Shaabi have been raised. Sunni sources have called for depoliticization of the Popular Mobilization Forces, to be achieved under the proposed National Guard bill.[110]According to some critics in 2015, the Popular Mobilization Forces were not sanctioned by the Constitution of Iraq and nonetheless had a budget and were paid on regular basis by the Iraqi government, whilst the legally establishedPeshmergahad not received their wages.[170][171]The official status and actual dependence of the Popular Mobilization Forces on the Baghdad government and its help was not fully resolved as of late 2015.[172]However, by the end of 2016, a law was passed bringing the PMU under the auspices of the Supreme Commander of the Iraqi National Army, incorporating PMF units into the official army of Iraq and removing any official affiliation with any social, religious or political group.[76]

Recruitment of Yazidis in Kurdish areas has been deemed to go against official Kurdish policy against the move: in February 2015,Kurdistan RegionPresidentMassoud Barzaniasked the Peshmerga minister to stop all militia activities in the area.[109]

Allegedly, clerics from theNajaf Seminary,including Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also criticized the monopolistic conduct of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.[45]

Concerns about growth

The Popular Mobilization Forces are accused of accruing a power base in Iraq and of being Iran's instrument to dominate Iraq.[173]The main fears are that the permanent militia would turn themselves into enforcers of Shia domination.[128]TheIraqi Policeheadquarters in theMuthanna Governorateannounced that they were in the process of commissioning Popular Mobilization battalions with security tasks in early January 2016. These tasks included protecting public and private establishments in open desert areas, among others. Other reports indicate that Popular Mobilization is securing border outlets and controlling security in liberated cities.[174]

According to General Ali Omran, commander of the army's 5th Infantry Division, P.M.F. militias are too entrenched in politics and at risk of "coming to blows" with the Armed Forces. In February 2016, militiamen refused orders to vacate a building in a military base north of Baghdad.[128]

According toAP-interviewed government officials and militia leaders, due to the fear of a return to Sunni minority rule over the Iraqi Shia majority, PMF militias want to remain a permanent, independent armed force; Hamed al-Jazaeery, head of the al-Khorasani Brigades militia, stated that the model is theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[128]

International reactions

  • United Nations: In a 2015 speech of its Special Representative and head of theUN Assistance Mission in Iraq(UNAMI), Jan Kubis mentioned the Popular Mobilization Forces, saying that theIraqi security forces,with the critical support of the Popular Mobilization Forces, tribal Sunni volunteers, and the International Coalition, have yet to significantly change the situation on the ground "[175]
  • CJTF–OIR: In 2016, Commander of theCJTF-OIRLt Gen.Stephen J. Townsenddescribed the PMF militias as "remarkably disciplined" allies since he arrived. He added that the PMF could make Iraq more secure—if they become a national guard-like force, and not a "puppet" of Iran.[176]

American-led airstrikes

Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, a member of the PMF, stated that their forces were bombed by US planes on 7 August 2017, inAl Anbar Governoratenear the Iraq–Syria border and that Hashd al-Shaabi forces suffered many casualties.[177]The Baghdad-based spokesman of the U.S.-led coalition, Army Col. Ryan Dillon, dismissed the allegation, saying on Twitter that no coalition airstrikes took place in the area at the time. According to the militia's deputy, Ahmed al-Maksousi, they were hit by artillery fire in Syria's Jamouna area, about 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) from the Iraqi border. Along with 40 killed, many militiamen were wounded, al-Maksousi added.[178]

On 22 August 2019, The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), blamed the United States and Israel for a number ofbombingson their warehouses and bases. The group accused the US of permitting Israeli drones to join its forces for executing attacks on Iraqi territory. The group pledged to counter any attack in the future.[179]On 23 August, a fatwa issued by AyatollahKazem al-Haericalled for attacks against US troops in Iraq, "the presence of any US military force in Iraq is forbidden (haram) under any title: military training, advice or the rationale of fighting terrorism".[180]

On 29 December 2019, the United Statesbombed the headquartersof PMF memberKata'ib HezbollahnearAl-Qa'im,killing 25 militiamen.[181]

On 3 January 2020, PMF commanderAbu Mahdi al-Muhandis,PMF PR head Mohammed Redha al-Jabri,[182]and theQuds Forcehead,Qasem Soleimani,were among those killed in anassassinationnearBaghdad Airport.[183][184]

On 12 March 2020, the U.S. launched air raids against five Kata'ib Hezbollah weapons storage bases across Iraq in retaliation for the2020 Camp Taji attacks.[185]

On 25 February 2021, a U.S. air raid killed one and wounded four while targeting PMF facilities on the Iraqi-Syrian border in Syria's easternDeir ez-Zor Governorate.The facilities were used by PMF forces combattingISILin collaboration with the Iraqi and Syrian governments. U.S. officials described the PMF as an "Iranian-backed militia" and the air strike as a retaliation for purported Iranian military aggression against U.S. facilities in Iraq, while Iranian officials denied involvement. Iraqi officials repudiated any connection between the PMF and the insurgents who previously attacked U.S. facilities.[citation needed]The Pentagonasserted that the air raid followed consultation with the Iraqi government and other partners in the region,[186]but the Iraqi military denied providing the U.S. with information regarding locations within Syria.[187]

On 27 June 2021, U.S. forces bombed two locations after an increase in drone attacks. One location was a drone-making facility and the other a conventional weapons exchange depot. Four members of Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada faction were claimed to have been killed in the action.[188]

On 4 January 2024, U.S. airstrikes on PMF's logistical headquarters killed two people, including the organization's deputy head of operations in Baghdad,Mushtaq Talib al-Saeedi,and wounded five others.[189]

On 2 February 2024, U.S. airstrikestargeted the headquarters of the PMFinAkashatinAnbar Governorate,killing 16 fighters and wounding 25.[190][191]

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