Iraq, 26.11.16: Legislation on Popular Mobilisation Forces Causing Disquiet in Iraq<\/strong><\/p>\nOn 26 November, the Iraqi parliament voted in favour of official recognition and full legal status for the Hashd al-Shaabi (the Popular Mobilisation Forces), effectively consecrating the paramilitary force as the nation\u2019s reservists. The law envisages a maximum of 50,000 fighters, of which 15,000 are to be from the Sunni community. The new law also grants members of the Hashd the same salaries and pensions currently afforded to the military and police force.<\/p>\n
The new bill stipulates that the Hashd are directly responsible to the office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, while the Defence Minister has no authority over its diverse units. Some have taken this to indicate that, by legalizing the Hashd forces, the incumbent Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, is seeking to consolidate his political position over his rivals. Consequently, one concern is that the Hashd could become a tool for Iraq\u2019s powerful politicians to use in settling scores.<\/p>\n
The Hashd was formed in 2014 as a force to confront the so-called Islamic State group in Iraq. Some see the Hashd as a potentially unifying force in the war-torn country, arguing that the new legalisation on the forces will make it a more accountable national body. According to sources, the Hashd comprises Shia, Sunni, Christian and Yazidi units, however groups linked with the Hashd have also been reported to target civilians in extrajudicial killings \u2013 in particular members of the Sunni minority. Human Rights Watch has documented summary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the destruction of homes by groups affiliated with the Hashd. Indeed, cynics question whether al-Abadi is able to exert any control over the already-powerful and diverse groups that constitute these forces, the most powerful units of which hold divergent agendas.<\/p>\n
Despite the controversy that surrounds them, the forces that make up the Hashd are hugely popular in parts of Iraq, due to their effective role as fighters against the so-called Islamic State group. While the recent government legislation has given the Hashd an official mandate to operate within the country, observers have noted that the forces have long operated in Iraq, with full government support. The vote on official recognition of the Hashd comes as the offensive continues against the so-called Islamic State in northern Iraq, particularly in Mosul and Tal Afar. The Hashd units, which encompass as many as 150,000 fighters, have played a significant role in the Iraqi-led offensive that is supported by an international coalition.<\/p>\n
Regional commentators foresee that the new legislation on the Hashd will aggravate sectarian tensions in Iraq, \u00ab\u00a0by cementing the political and military influence of this alliance of largely Shia militias, as well as that of Iran, which backs most of them.\u00a0\u00bb One expert noted that these tensions were evidenced in the parliamentary vote on the new law, where all Shia blocs approved the legislation, while many Sunni MPs boycotted the session. The New Arab reported that the bill was supported by 208 of 327 members of the Iraqi parliament, with strong rejection from Sunni Arab politicians and lawmakers, who called the legislation evidence of \u00ab\u00a0dictatorship\u00a0\u00bb by the country\u2019s Shia majority. Sunni parliamentarian Ahmed al-Masary said that the bill raises concerns about the equal participation of Iraq\u2019s numerous communities in the nation-building process. Sunni politicians also apparently objected to the law because of the way it was passed, notably because the timing of the bill could have been better; \u00ab\u00a0if the government waited until the extremist Islamic State, or IS, group had been completely pushed out of Iraq, then all relevant parties could have had their say.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n
Writing for Niqash, Ibrahim Saleh has also noted that the move to officially recognise the Hashd was controversial among Sunni parliamentarians because it legitimises the approximately 30,000 Sunni fighters currently operating as part of the volunteer forces. According to Saleh, the Sunni volunteer militias originate from tribal networks in northern Iraq, where whole clans have been mobilised to fight against the so-called Islamic State group there. The new law, which recognizes these volunteers as a legal entity, affords them the power and legitimacy to run in local elections, potentially eroding the voting base of Sunni parliamentarians currently based in Baghdad. In the upcoming provincial elections, slated to be held in 2017, Saleh foresees the emergence of \u00ab\u00a0new and powerful parties with links to the tribal and volunteer militias,\u00a0\u00bb from all Iraqi communities.<\/p>\n
Links for more information:<\/em>
Iraqi parliament recognises shia militias as an official force<\/span><\/span> (site externe, s\u2019ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)<\/span><\/a> \u00b7 Al-Araby Al-Jadeed<\/span>
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Fatwas and farces irans military toehold in iraq<\/span><\/span> (site externe, s\u2019ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)<\/span><\/a>