Iraq Summons UK Ambassador Over ‘Undiplomatic’ Remarks on PMF
Baghdad protested UK Ambassador Siddiq's comments opposing PMF legislation as "interference," invoking Vienna Convention rules. The spat follows UK/US calls to disband the Iran-linked force post-ISIS.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally lodged a strong objection with the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Baghdad, Irfan Siddiq, over recent public statements it deems contrary to diplomatic norms and an interference in the country’s internal affairs.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said the remarks, made on Aug. 8, 2025, were inconsistent with the principles governing diplomatic conduct. The objection was conveyed during a meeting at the ministry’s headquarters, attended by Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Affairs, Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr al-Uloom.
Bahr al-Uloom expressed the government’s deep concern, stressing that such behavior violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which obliges foreign envoys to respect the laws and regulations of the host country and refrain from intervening in its domestic matters.
The ministry urged the British ambassador to avoid similar statements or actions in the future and to act in a manner that fosters friendly relations between Iraq and the United Kingdom. It concluded by underscoring the importance of adhering to constructive diplomatic engagement and upholding the principles of mutual respect and non-interference.
The diplomatic row comes after Ambassador Siddiq, in a televised interview, aligned his country with the United States in opposing proposed legislation concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi.
Siddiq stated that with ISIS territorially defeated, the PMF’s mission had ended and Iraq no longer required its role. He noted that the PMF was initially established as a defensive force against ISIS but argued that its duties should conclude in the current security context.
He also highlighted that the Iraqi government itself had requested the end of the International Coalition’s mission, acknowledging that the threat of terrorism and ISIS has largely subsided. “This clearly shows that the PMF’s role, in this context, has also ended,” he asserted.
The UK’s position echoes that of the United States, whose embassy in Baghdad warned on Aug. 3 that approving the PMF bill could expand Iran’s influence in Iraq, bolster hardline armed factions, and pose a significant threat to Iraqi sovereignty.
