Popular Mobilization Forces' Military Parade in Iraq Canceled: Political Accord or American Influence?

On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, the central military parade, which was regularly held by previous governments since 2016, was absent.

This is particularly notable as the current government, led by Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, emerged from the “Coordination Framework Alliance” allied with Iran.

The Popular Mobilization Forces consist mainly of Shiite factions that pledge allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

It was established on June 13, 2014, following the fatwa of the Shiite reference, Ali al-Sistani, calling for jihad against the Islamic State organization.

 

Closed Festivities

Instead of the usual military parade, the government commemorated the anniversary by holding a closed ceremony attended by the three presidencies (Republic, Parliament, and Government), as well as several deputies, officials, and leaders of armed militias in the country.

During a speech on June 14, 2023, Prime Minister al-Sudani stated that the Popular Mobilization Forces have become one of the foremost security formations relied upon by the state and government to confront future perils—indispensable and non-negotiable.

He emphasized that “from a security standpoint, the Popular Mobilization Forces have become an essential part of the sense of reassurance in the streets,” affirming that “the security challenges that the country faced in the past have now become a thing of the past thanks to the vigilance of our security forces.”

Al-Sudani also noted that “the role of the Popular Mobilization Forces extends beyond land liberation; it has supported the army in preserving state institutions and the political system.” He further explained that “the fatwa of the defensive jihad resulted in the liberation of Iraq from the grip of the Islamic State.

“After the enactment of its law, the Popular Mobilization Forces possess full legitimacy based on the constitution and are subject to the supervision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces [Prime Minister], similar to other security agencies.”

The Parliament approved the law establishing the Popular Mobilization Commission on November 26, 2016, amid objections from Sunni Iraqi Coalition Forces’ deputies, who considered the law’s passage as a blow to national partnership.

The Parliament’s vote took place amid disagreements between political blocs regarding provisions related to balance, distribution of quotas among the components of the people, and the participation of all provinces in defending their cities without restrictions on any specific province.

The dispute also revolved around the number of the Popular Mobilization Forces, with a suggestion not to exceed 100,000 fighters.

However, the number continued to increase, reaching 238,075 individuals in 2023, an increase of approximately 138,075 individuals.

The law stipulated that the Popular Mobilization Forces would be an auxiliary force alongside the armed forces, under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

It consists of leadership, a general staff, and combat brigades and is subject to the prevailing military laws, with no political activities allowed within its ranks.

 

Anger and Questions Arise

The absence of the military parade has raised questions among the supporters of the Popular Mobilization Forces. Mazen al-Zaidi, a journalist and political analyst affiliated with the Coordination Framework, stated that “the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces is called upon to clarify the reasons for not holding the annual parade on the ninth anniversary of its establishment.”

Al-Zaidi further added, in a tweet on June 13, 2023, that “the public and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces demand clarification regarding the reasons. Are they financial, logistical, or political? It is not right to replace the annual parade with closed ceremonies or car processions in the streets.”

In the same context, Jumaa al-Atwani, the head of the Ufuq Center for Studies, which is close to the Coordination Framework, expressed his surprise at the absence of a military parade for the Popular Mobilization Forces on the anniversary of its establishment.

During a television interview on June 15, 2023, al-Atwani said that “On Army and Police Day, we celebrate and have military parades. But why, this year, on the anniversary of the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces, the official, constitutional, and legal institution, did it limit itself to informal displays?”

On the other hand, the political analyst, Raad Hashim, questioned the reasons behind allowing the brigade affiliated with the religious shrines formed by the Shiite religious authority in Najaf to hold a military parade coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

In April 2020, the Al-Abbas Brigade announced its disengagement from the Popular Mobilization Forces, along with three factions, and its direct affiliation with the Ministry of Defense under the supervision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

 

A Gift for Americans

In contrast, member of the Sadrist movement Issam Hussein stated that the last military parade of the Popular Mobilization Forces was during the government of former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, which means that he did not care about the American opinion.

Hussein quoted a statement from one of the prime minister’s advisors (not naming him), who said: “Preventing the military parade of the Popular Mobilization Forces is a gift to the U.S. administration, which strongly supports the Coordination Framework government and its militias.”

On the same note, Ali Turki, a member of Parliament representing the Sadiqoun Bloc affiliated with the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia, stated during a televised interview on June 15, 2023, that “the issue of canceling the military parade is not driven by political agreements, but rather by American pressure.”

The parliamentarian clarified that “the American pressure is evident, and the American hostility towards the Popular Mobilization Forces, which previously targeted Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (Deputy Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces killed alongside Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020).”

He added: “All the governments that have emerged since the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces until today, including the al-Sudani government, have not granted the rights of the forces, whether at the individual or organizational levels.”

In response to this, the political analyst Iyad Thabet stated that “the talk about American pressure or communication with the Iraqi government to prevent this year’s military parade has caused confusion and discontent within the ranks of the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

Thabet explained to Al-Estiklal that “what is strange about the matter is the militias openly stating that the ban on the military parade came under American pressure, and this is happening for the first time under a government they themselves formed. Where is the language of challenge and insistence on organizing such events and considering them sacred?”

“These militias usually distort facts and fabricate lies to present themselves to their supporters and crowds as a strong and cohesive force that cannot be influenced by any force in the world.”

Thabet expressed his belief that “their acknowledgment of American pressure may be a means to incite their supporters against the United States and to polish their image at the same time as if the Americans fear them. But they are foolish even in their thinking.”

He emphasized that “these statements and blaming the Americans for not holding the military parade give the impression to the public that Washington is the primary actor in Iraq, even with a government led by the Coordination Framework, and that it is capable of doing anything, including dissolving the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

Falih al-Fayyadh holds the presidency of the Popular Mobilization Forces, but the actual commander is the Chief of Staff, Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi, who has faced accusations of committing massacres against protesters during the October 2019 demonstrations, resulting in 800 deaths and around 30,000 injuries.

Al-Muhammadawi, who is considered the actual leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, assumed his position after the killing of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a U.S. airstrike alongside Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad airport in January 2020.