IRGC launches Free Revolutionaries Front militia in Iraq

Ali Ragab

Amid the tensions that Iraq currently witnesses thanks to recent US-Iranian conflict that could lead to a war on its land, a number of Shiite factions with the leadership of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have formed a new militia called “Free Revolutionaries Front” to reportedly confront U.S. existence in Iraq.

A footage circulated on social media showed a number of armed men calling themselves the “Free Revolutionaries Front” while delivering a statement next to PMF flags.

“With the help of our people and sacrifices of our youths, the front will be able to kick the United States out of the country,” the statement said.

The footage did not reveal any additional information regarding the new Iranian-backed militia.

The new militia claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted Baghdad’s Green Zone with Katyusha rockets to hit the US embassy.

Meanwhile, the PMF denied any connections with the new militia and claimed the footage to be fake, warning of attempts to demean Iraq’s sovereignty.

“The PMF is operating under the command of the Armed Forces and does not have any other armed militias whatsoever,” a statement by the PMF said.

Iranian affairs expert Mohamed Benaya said in an interview with The Reference that the PMF has a strategy of creating tens of armed militias in order to send messages to its enemies, and also allies.

He also pointed out that the attack on the US embassy affirms that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are supplying proxies to serve the Iranian interests in the region.

“This new militia front sends yet another messages to Iran’s foes, especially the United States, that it has the ability to create chaos and bloodshed in Iraq and countries with US troops, if Washington decided to go to war with Tehran,” Benaya added.