Controversial PMF bill advances in Iraqi Parliament amid concerns
The proposed legislation has sparked debate and raised eyebrows due to certain provisions and the backdrop of ongoing concerns surrounding the group's activities and affiliations.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi parliament has conducted the first reading of a contentious bill concerning the service and pensions of the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Force (PMF, or locally known as Hashd al-Shaabi), a paramilitary group integrated into the Iraqi security forces.
The proposed legislation has sparked debate and raised eyebrows due to certain provisions and the backdrop of ongoing concerns surrounding the group's activities and affiliations.
Key provisions of the bill include:
* Granting an additional five years of service credit to fighters who participated in the battle against ISIS from 2014 to 2017.
* Posthumous promotions for Hashd fighters killed in action, with associated benefits for their families.
* A substantial increase in the Hashd al-Shaabi's share of the 2024 budget, reaching over 4.5 trillion dinars.
* A significant rise in the allocation for salaries in the 2024 budget, exceeding 3.8 trillion dinars.
While the bill aims to recognize the contributions of Hashd al-Shaabi fighters in the fight against ISIS, it has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Notably, dozens of groups and individuals within the Hashd al-Shaabi are on terror lists maintained by the US and other countries.
Moreover, the increased budgetary allocations and provisions for posthumous promotions raise concerns about the group's growing influence and potential for further entrenchment within the Iraqi security apparatus.
The bill's progress comes at a time when many Iraqi political parties remain silent on the issue of the Hashd al-Shaabi's service and disarmament.
This silence is particularly striking given the contrast with the treatment of the Peshmerga forces, a key component of the Iraqi defense system that has been equipped with new weapons and systems with the Iraqi government's knowledge.
The first reading of the Hashd al-Shaabi service and pension bill signals a potential shift in the balance of power within Iraq's security landscape.
The bill's ultimate fate remains uncertain, but its advancement underscores the ongoing complexities and challenges in Iraq's efforts to consolidate its security forces and address the legacy of the fight against ISIS.