Iraq’s foreign ministry protests UK diplomat’s remarks on PMF

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Foreign Ministry summoned the United Kingdom’s chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, Ruth Coverdale, on Sunday, delivering a formal protest over comments made by British Ambassador Stephen Hitchen. The ministry accused Hitchen of ‘interfering’ in Iraq’s internal affairs through his remarks which, according to a ministry statement, “addressed Iraq’s security and political matters in a way that portrays a grim picture of Iraq, its government, and its communities.”

The issue stems from Ambassador Hitchen’s comments on the “Bestoon Talk” program on Rudaw TV, where he stated that the Popular Mobilization Forces, a conglomerate of mostly Shia militias, are “part of the state, so the fighters within it should not disobey the orders of the Commander-in-Chief [Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani].” Hitchen warned that militias operating outside state control pose “an international problem” and could embroil Iraq “in international problems or even war,” noting that “this choice is not in their hands but in the hands of the militias.”

The Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, were established in 2014 as a response to the Islamic State’s significant territorial advances in Iraq. This state-sponsored coalition consists of various autonomous militias, primarily Shia but also including Sunni, Christian, and Yazidi groups. The PMF was officially integrated into the Iraqi armed forces in 2016, following a directive from the central government, which aimed to bring the diverse groups under state control. The PMF played a pivotal role in the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq, contributing significantly to ground operations. However, the integration of such a varied group of militias into the national security framework has presented ongoing challenges, including issues of command and control and concerns regarding the influence of external actors.

Bakr Ahmed Al-Jaf, head of the ministry’s Europe Department, called for mutual understanding and urged the UK to “engage with Iraq’s experience from the perspective of shared interests.” He emphasized Iraq’s ongoing efforts to establish security, enhance stability, and integrate its diverse communities.

The ministry said that the ambassador’s comments were considered a violation of Iraq’s internal affairs and a breach of diplomatic norms.

Hitchen described these militias as “a point of weakness” that leads to “state fragility.” However, he clarified that “the Peshmerga forces are not considered a militia according to the Iraqi constitution.”

He also discussed the challenges faced by British companies in Iraq, attributed to “uncontrolled weapons and militias operating outside state authority, especially those that express extreme hostility towards the West.” Hitchen expressed the UK’s interest in seeing “security and safety in Iraq and the region,” contrasting the situation with more stable environments like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where “there is protection and security, free of militias.”

Furthermore, Hitchen acknowledged the significant changes in Iraq since the defeat of ISIS, highlighting the concerning influence of militias in areas such as the Nineveh Plain, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Jurf Al-Sakhar, emphasizing the need for ongoing attention to these issues.