Uncertain future for Iraqi Iran-backed militia

Islam Mohamed

The slaying of the deputy commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, Abi Mahdi al-Mohandiss, in an American airstrike that also killed the commander of the elite Iranian Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, raises questions on the future of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia.

The militia, which depends on Shiite volunteers, was formed a few years ago with the ostensible aim of fighting the Islamic State group, after Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani issued an edict in this regard.

The Popular Mobilization Forces are a section of the Iraqi armed forces, according to the law of the forces which was approved by the Iraqi parliament in 2016.

Nonetheless, the forces have acted on the orders of Iran, not the Iraqi government. The government itself acts at the orders of the Islamic Republic.

The Popular Mobilization Forces face an existential threat after the killing of al-Mohandiss, the actual commander of the militia. This is especially true because the man’s slaying comes hard on the heels of the killing of 25 Popular Mobilization Forces affiliates in other airstrikes.

Early on Saturday, the US launched airstrikes on two Popular Mobilization Forces trucks near a playfield in Iraqi capital Baghdad. The strikes left six people dead and a number of others injured.

The forces said the strikes had not killed any of their commanders.

Iranian affairs specialist Osama al-Hatimi said the latest strike near Baghdad International Airport mainly targeted Soleimani, not al-Mohandiss.

“Nevertheless, the slaying of the two men will surely have repercussions for the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces,” al-Hatimi told The Reference.

He said the nature of the strike was symbolic and indicative of the ability of the US to fully control the situation in Iraq.

“This means that the Americans are in control in this Arab state, not the Popular Mobilization Forces,” al-Hatimi said.