Iraq’s PMF Could Establish a Command Center, Reports

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) wants to establish its own command center with the privileges that could make the forces an equal to the ministries of defense and interior, according to reports.

Earlier, head of PMF Falih al-Fayyadh sent a letter to Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi requesting an extension to the order calling on the forces to integrate into the Iraqi Army.

A PMF commander, Moein al-Kazemi, said in press statements that the majority of the forces’ leaders support the idea of maintaining the PMF’s current formation.

However, security expert Hisham al-Hashemi confirmed the desire to establish a command center, noting that top commander Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes had suggested the same idea to former Prime Minister Haider Abadi in August 2018.

But Abadi rejected his proposal, which prompted Mohandes to repeat his demand to Abdul Mahdi’s government.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hashemi said that the success of the command center will make the forces an armed body similar to the ministries of defense and interior.

He noted that if the PMF succeeded in establishing the command, they will be able to set up a military academy.

Hashemi indicated that the two months deadline requested by Fayyadh means the PMF is not yet ready to respond to the PM’s order, and the infrastructure of the training camps allocated by the government to the forces are incomplete.

Some members and commanders of the PMF believe those camps are not suitable and tracked by the US and Israeli air forces.

The expert also said that the extension request is caused by the rejection of factions to meet in joint camps, which means they will have to reveal all their combat capabilities and military equipment.

In other news, former MP Salem Juma Khodr sent a letter to Iraq’s President, Head and Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region, and head of PMF calling on them to provide him with protection from PMF commanders Saad and Waad al-Qadu.

Khodr also sent copies of the letter to the US and British Embassies, international organizations concerned with human rights, and other officials in Nineveh.

Khodr said that on July 30, and while he was in his village, a PMF unit arrived and cordoned off the area following orders from the Qadu brothers which could have led to his assassination.

The Qadu family did not deny or confirm the allegations and accusations of the former MP.

Khodr and Qadu brothers, who belong to the same Shiite sect, are competing for influence in large areas in Nineveh, an informed source in Nineveh said.