US warns PMF legislation could strengthen armed groups, threaten Iraq’s sovereignty

BAGHDAD — U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin voiced renewed concerns over proposed laws to formalize the Popular Mobilization Forces during a meeting with First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohsen al-Mandalawi on Aug. 2, warning the legislation could entrench foreign influence and empower armed groups beyond state control.

According to a post from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Fagin warned that legislating the PMF and its governing body could “institutionalize Iranian influence” and “strengthen armed terrorist groups,” posing a threat to Iraq’s sovereignty.

The embassy quoted Fagin stating that the United States remains concerned about the proposed laws and their potential to empower factions outside the control of the state. These remarks echo earlier comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had told Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani that the legislation would “institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty.”

Established in 2014 as a response to the rise of the Islamic State, the PMF—also known as Hashd al-Shaabi—is officially part of Iraq’s security apparatus. However, it includes factions with close ties to Iran and varying levels of autonomy from the Iraqi government.

The Iraqi parliament completed the second reading of the draft law in mid-July, despite a walkout by many Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers who objected to the bill being added to the session’s agenda without consensus.

No date has been set yet for a final vote on the legislation.