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Fears raised by critics as Iraqi government approves controversial PMF law

thenationalnews.com · 19h · first reportShare

Iraq has approved a controversial law regarding the Popular Mobilisation Forces and referred it to parliament for voting as US forces concluded their mission in the country. The PMF, also known as Hashd Al Shaabi, is an umbrella organisation of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups integrated into state security, with several factions backed by Iran. The groups were formed during Iraq's war against ISIS. “The cabinet voted in favour of the Popular Mobilisation Forces bill. It approved referring the bill to parliament for a vote, in accordance with constitutional provisions,” Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi’s office said. If passed, it would further legitimise the PMF as a permanent national security institution by providing benefits that would position them on equal footing with other state military institutions. The current draft was approved by the government of former prime minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in February 2025. It was stalled due to disputes over retirement provisions and US op