Friends and allies
Some Iraqi politicians say that—having helped defeat IS—the PMF's role is now to help safeguard the Iraqi political system and its democratic process, but others see it as a mafia-like group that flaunts its power and wealth.
Officials affiliated with the PMF openly display luxurious lifestyles, showcasing extravagant vehicles and elaborate security convoys. Osama al-Kildani, the PMF's deputy commander of operations in Mosul, was recently filmed flaunting his luxury car collection valued at more than $6mn (al-Sudani later removed al-Kildani from his position and referred his case to the Integrity Commission).
In fact, many have been accused of receiving salaries for no work, earning the title of "ghost employees". Former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was the first to flag the issue. Later, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law coalition, reiterated the claim while also alleging that the PMF was behind attempts at "electoral and sectarian exploitation".
PMF supporters extol its symbolic importance, sacrifices, and role as a guardian of Shiites against both internal and external threats while at the same time embroiling the group in their political squabbles over control of state institutions. This means the symbolic stature of an institution tasked with safeguarding the state gets dragged down by political mudslinging.
A draft law on the PMF (called the PMF Service and Retirement Law) caused bitter disputes, particularly regarding the legal retirement age of PMF chairman Falih al-Fayyadh, leading the government to withdraw it from parliament in March for further amendments. Tweaks now appear to let al-Fayyadh remain in post for the remainder of the current government term, with ministerial rank.
A member of Iraq's PMF stands in front of the wreckage of the car in which Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (L) and IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani were assassinated on Jan 2, 2023 to mark the third anniversary of their killing.
Political football
The original aim of the Service and Retirement Law was to regulate pensions, financial guarantees, and family benefits for PMF fighters (including those killed in battle), but the new draft focuses primarily on granting legal legitimacy to the PMF's existing structures.
In terms of manpower, this PMF is a vast and growing organisation. From 2019-23, its personnel rose sharply from 122,000 to 238,000. Financial allocations also expanded from around $1.7bn in 2019 to $2.8bn in 2023 and will increase to $3.4bn in 2024. The power struggle over its leadership is, in part, a fight for PMF members' votes.
That power struggle within the Coordination Framework has come down to Falih al-Fayyadh's tenure as head of the PMF. Allies, including those in government, advocate its extension. Others oppose it, sensing an opportunity to weaken both his and his allies' prospects of securing additional parliamentary seats.
Al-Fayyadh said he knew the dispute was driven by "electoral reasons or a disagreement with the prime minister". The sentiment was echoed by the veteran Shiite politician and militia chief Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) and a US-designated terrorist.
