Popular Mobilization Forces (Quwwat al-Hashd ash-Shaabi) as a Factor Influencing Security and Political Situation in Iraq after 2014

Abstract

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, Quwwat al-Hashd ash-Shaabi) were critically important for the restoration of the Iraqi state sovereignty over the vast territories to the west and north of Baghdad occupied by the radical Islamic State group. Having provided its mighty support to the demoralized armed forces in 2014, the PMF became a kind of “imperium in imperio” that has even its intelligence and by itself represents a new challenge to the federal center. The key figures of the de facto Shia PMF having strong ties with Iran waged warfare against American occupation forces; the fact that could not but worry Washington. The degree of this concern was illustrated by the American decision to eliminate the PMF most symbolic figure Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis along with Iranian general Suleimani on the territory of Iraq, formally a sovereign state. The Iraqi government which is skeptical towards the perspective of making Iraq an Iranian satellite, has drafted a plan to integrate the Shia PMF forces into the armed forces, at the same time transforming its military structures into political organizations. The government's natural ally in these efforts is the supreme leadership of Iraqi Shias that is also skeptical about the wilayat al-faqih theocratic doctrine of Iran, unlike the majority of Iranian bred historical leaders of PMF.