Factional feuds yet a new challenge for Iran in Iraq

Islam Mohamed

Several Popular Mobilization Forces factions in Iraq have broken away with the forces, presenting Iran with a new challenge.

The new challenge is untimely, given the huge amount of problems the Islamic Republic faces, including the outbreak of the coronavirus.

It also poses threats to Iranian influence in Iraq, especially with Iran’s dependence on the factions acting under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces in maintaining its influence in the Arab country.

Nevertheless, these factions are probably trying to break away from Tehran and end its affiliation to it.

Four Popular Mobilization Forces factions walked out of the paramilitary organization last week. These factions owe allegiance to senior Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani, viewed as the most outstanding Shiite cleric in Iraq. Al-Sisitani is also viewed as a main rival of the Iranians, including Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The decision of the factions to walk out of the Popular Mobilization Forces came after their leaders held a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Nagah al-Shamri.

The meeting focused on means of integrating Iraq’s military factions into the country’s security establishment.

The assassination of deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis in January of this year has opened the door for major cracks within the forces.

The commanders of the different factions of the paramilitary group started fiddling over senior positions inside the group.

On February 20, the commanders of the factions of the Popular Mobilization Forces issued a statement in which they expressed their opposition to the promotion of Abu Fedk al-Muhamadawi, a commander of the Iraqi Hezbollah faction, to the position of deputy commander of the forces.

Nevertheless, al-Muhamadawi was appointed as the deputy commander of the forces.