Al-Maliki: UN envoy warned of Israeli strikes, denies discussion on PMF dissolution

BAGHDAD — Nouri Al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition and former Iraqi prime minister, revealed that a United Nations envoy had warned of potential Israeli strikes on Iraqi targets during two separate meetings. “The UN envoy cautioned us about the possibility of an Israeli strike. He also conveyed messages indicating the potential for certain Israeli attacks in Iraq at that time,” Maliki said in an interview with state-run Al-Iraqiya TV.

Addressing speculation about the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Maliki firmly rejected claims that the UN envoy discussed dissolving the group. “At no point did I hear him discuss messages regarding the dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces or anything similar,” he said.

In recent months, several Iran-backed Shia militias in Iraq, operating under the banner of the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” have launched drone and missile attacks against Israeli targets. These groups have targeted locations such as Eilat, the Dead Sea region, and the Golan Heights, citing solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza.

These attacks have heightened regional tensions and increased the risk of Israeli retaliatory strikes on militia positions within Iraq. In response, the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, has engaged in discussions with these militias to cease their operations against Israel. Reports indicate that agreements have been reached for the militias to halt attacks and refrain from interfering in regional conflicts, aiming to prevent further escalation and potential Israeli military action on Iraqi soil.

Some excerpts of Maliki’s interview on Al-Iraqiya TV:

During two meetings, the UN envoy cautioned us about the possibility of an Israeli strike. He also conveyed messages indicating the potential for certain Israeli attacks in Iraq at that time.

I met with the UN envoy twice: the first was during a visit he made to me, and the second was in preparation for a broader meeting with the Coordination Framework forces. At no point did I hear him discuss messages regarding the dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces or anything similar. Instead, he spoke about the possibility of Israel targeting sites in Iraq.

The UN representative communicated with the government in a manner that could potentially be misinterpreted. We do not wish to repeat past experiences where a UN envoy assumed the role of managing the political process or acted in a quasi-guardianship capacity. I reject anyone speaking in such a manner, although the current envoy has not done so.

The PMF is akin to the army and the police—it is tied to the Iraqi state through the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. However, weapons outside this framework are illegal and constitute a separate issue. The statements from the religious authority, as conveyed by the UN envoy, focus on parallel weaponry operating outside state control.

The PMF was established through a governmental decision, its directives are state decisions, and its formations are backed by official executive orders. I am perplexed by those who refer to the PMF as if it were a militia.