DistantNews
Support us
Iraq's PMF Declares 'Complete Split' from Parties, Factions
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Iraq's PMF Declares 'Complete Split' from Parties, Factions

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are implementing a government order to reorganize their relationship with armed factions and place all weapons under state control.
  • PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyadh stated the goal is to disengage the PMF from political frameworks and establish it as a unified institution under the commander-in-chief.
  • Fayyadh rejected calls for the PMF's dissolution, emphasizing its continued necessity due to ongoing security threats, while also revealing integration plans for brigades linked to the Sadrist movement.

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have begun reorganizing their structure and relationship with armed factions, a move presented as a step toward placing all weapons under state control. The PMF's chief, Faleh al-Fayyadh, announced the formation of a committee tasked with implementing a government order for the "complete disengagement" of the PMF from political and partisan frameworks.

the complete disengagement of the PMF from any political, factional, or partisan frameworks.

— Faleh al-FayyadhAnnouncing the work of the new committee tasked with reorganizing the PMF's relationship with armed factions.

Fayyadh stated the objective is to transform the PMF into an institution governed by a unified system, directly linked to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He cited the 2016 law governing the PMF and subsequent government orders as the basis for this effort, explaining that the war against ISIS had previously hindered full implementation.

Despite facing calls for its dissolution after the end of major battles, Fayyadh rejected these demands as "unrealistic." He asserted that security forces, including the PMF, remain permanently necessary as long as security threats persist. He characterized criticism as a "superficial view" driven by political opposition.

the need for security forces, including the PMF, was “permanent” as long as security threats continued.

— Faleh al-FayyadhRejecting calls to dissolve the PMF after the end of major battles.

In a significant development, Fayyadh revealed special integration arrangements for brigades affiliated with the Saraya al-Salam, linked to the Sadrist movement, in Samarra. These brigades will be absorbed into the PMF structure under new professional arrangements, with the aim of ending the concept of "areas belonging to certain factions" in favor of unified military administration. Some sites will undergo temporary transitional arrangements supervised by the Iraqi army before final redistribution within the PMF.

those who believed the PMF’s role had ended had a “superficial view,” referring to criticism he sees as driven by political opposition to his forces.

— Faleh al-FayyadhExplaining his view on the criticism directed at the PMF.

The Security Media Cell confirmed steps are underway to implement the decision to place weapons under state control, with factions like Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali beginning legal procedures to hand over heavy and medium weapons for integration.

received as individuals and restructured or redeployed in the field as needed.

— Faleh al-FayyadhDescribing the integration process for brigades affiliated with Saraya al-Salam.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog