Iraqi PM ordered Hashd al-Shaabi to join formal armed forces

Hashd al-Shaabi militias, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), played a role in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi issued a decree ordering the integration of the Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia forces into the formal armed forces of the country.

The move comes two weeks after a series of unclaimed attacks targeted Iraqi bases hosting US forces as well as sites where American energy companies operate.

The decree said: "In the interest of the public good and as per the powers granted to us by the constitution, the following is decreed: all Hashd al-Shaabi forces are to operate as an indivisible part of the armed forces and be subject to the same regulations." 

Hashd al-Shaabi militias, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), played a role in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq.

Its leaders formed the al-Fatih (Conquest) coalition and in Iraq 2018 parliamentary elections got 48 seats, right behind Sairon (53 seats) the formation led by Iraqi Shia cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr.

Indeed, soon after Abdul-Mahdi issued the decree, Sadr himself announced his support for the move and urged his own militia group to fold into the Iraqi armed forces’ apparatus. 

“What came from the prime minister [on the Hashd al-Shaabi] is an important thing and a good first step toward building a strong state,” Sadr said on his Twitter account.