Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, are an Iraqi state-sanctioned coalition of mostly Shia paramilitary groups formed in 2014. Their creation followed a call to arms by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to combat the Islamic State (ISIS) after the group captured significant territory, including Mosul. The PMF played a crucial role in liberating areas from ISIS control and are now an official part of Iraq's security forces, reporting directly to the Prime Minister's office. The PMF consists of diverse groups with varying loyalties, including some tied to Iran, others aligned with Iraqi nationalism, and smaller units representing Sunni, Christian, and Turkmen communities. While they were instrumental in fighting ISIS, the PMF has faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses and their influence on Iraqi politics and governance, particularly due to the autonomy of some factions. Efforts to integrate the PMF into the Iraqi military have met with mixed success, highlighting ongoing tensions between the state and militia groups.