Iraq on Verge of Restructuring Popular Mobilization Forces

Iraq is taking significant steps to restructure its powerful Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a move observers are calling a "qualitative shift." The military wing loyal to Sadrist movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr, Saraya al-Salam, formally handed over security responsibilities in Samarra to the Iraqi army on Thursday. This symbolic ceremony included lowering the faction's flag at its operations headquarters.

Saad Maan, head of the Security Media Cell, announced that all Saraya al-Salam fighters are now under the command of the prime minister, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This integration places Saraya al-Salam's brigades, previously responsible for security in areas like Samarra, directly under state authority. This follows Sadr's earlier call for his military wing to merge into the state and for PMF factions to disarm.

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A committee had been formed by government order to relink and redistribute armed formations so they move away from any other political title or formation.

While some factions like Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali have also announced their separation from the PMF, others, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, continue to resist demands for disarmament. The exact details of the dismantling and disarmament process remain murky. Questions linger about the types and quantities of weapons held by these factions and whether they will be surrendered to government authorities.

An Iraqi security official acknowledged that the mechanism for placing all weapons under state control is still unclear. Local media reports suggest a proposal from the Coordination Framework that includes offering tens of thousands of government jobs in official security institutions to fighters whose factions agree to disengage. The success of this restructuring hinges on resolving these ambiguities and ensuring genuine state control over all armed groups.

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remains unclear