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Iran and Its Iraqi Shi'a Allies

(Lawfare Institute) Ariane Tabatabai - The Iraqi Shia militias are often grouped under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), but not all PMF are created equal. Some are embedded in the Iraqi political system; others have allegiances to specific religious figures. Some groups are fairly independent from Tehran, while others were actually created by the Islamic Republic. Virtually all seem to receive some degree of material support, such as financial aid, weapons, and equipment. The PMF's main interlocutor in Iran is the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, which operates under the supervision of Gen. Qassem Soleimani. PMF forces often succeed where the Iraqi Army fails. They are able to mobilize quickly and in large numbers (15,000 alone are said to have joined the battle of Mosul). The militias have close enough ties to Tehran to be a liability, but not close enough to be under direct Iranian control. As a result, the Islamic Republic's ability to influence their decision-making and actions is limited. Yet regardless of the complexities of Iran-PMF relations, many Iraqis, and Sunnis in general, view Shia militias as Iran's arm in Iraq. As ISIS is weakened, the Shia militias may increasingly become a liability for Tehran. If the militias continue to commit war crimes against Sunnis and without a clear response from Tehran, after the fall of ISIS, Iran will have a much harder time positioning itself as an influencer in a post-ISIS Iraq. The writer is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Security Studies at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
2016-12-06 00:00:00
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