Proposed Iraqi PMF Law Threatens State Sovereignty and Deepens Iran-Backed Militia Influence

A proposed law that would further legitimise Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces as a permanent national security institution raises serious concerns regarding the country's democratic future and state sovereignty, experts and officials told The National.

The PMF, also known as Hashd Al Shaabi, is an umbrella organisation of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups integrated into state security, with several factions backed by Iran. These groups were originally formed during Iraq's war against ISIS.

Changes to the PMF legislation would effectively institutionalise a parallel security apparatus equipped with a multi-billion-dollar annual budget, while leaving its leadership structure largely unchanged, explained Michael Knights, head of research at Horizon Engage, a New York-based strategic advisory firm.

“This poses significant risks given that some PMF factions are led by figures designated as terrorists by the US,” Mr Knights told The National. “It's not that the PMF law changes a lot – instead it freezes things and makes positive change less likely.”

Mr Knights noted that the proposed law would not introduce meaningful changes within the PMF but would instead lock in the status quo and make future reform less probable. “It is serious enough that the US threatened to tank the Iraqi economy last time the law was nearly passed,” he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi is currently under pressure from the US to disarm the militias by September 30, which is the same deadline established for US troops to leave the country under a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington. Over the past few weeks, tensions and threats have escalated between the government and Iran-backed militias regarding potential disarmament.

Executing this move could prove difficult. Backed by Iranian financial and military support, the militias have evolved into formidable forces capable of rivalling the national army in firepower. Furthermore, they are deeply embedded in Iraq's political, economic, and social fabric, having established business networks and secured seats in parliament and the government.

Describing themselves as the Resistance, these groups form a key pillar of Iran's network of regional proxy forces and have claimed responsibility for dozens of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US forces in Iraq and Syria since the onset of the Gaza war in 2023.

An Iraqi official speaking to The National stated that the existing law governing the Popular Mobilisation Forces provides a legal framework but leaves crucial issues regarding personnel and administrative structure unresolved.

“This is why there is a push for the service and retirement legislation; it has been postponed by former governments. The law will give the PMF a permanent, legally protected status as a parallel armed institution inside the Iraqi state,” the official said, calling it “a dangerous move” that “would further tighten Iran's grip on Iraq.”

The current draft was approved by the government of former prime minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in February 2025 and subsequently referred to parliament. However, it stalled due to disputes concerning retirement provisions and disapproval from Washington, according to the official.

This renewed push for the legislation coincides with several senior Iranian officials visiting Baghdad last week. Among them was Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian parliament, who undertook a three-day official visit beginning on Wednesday.

On Thursday, PMF chairman Falah Al Fayyadh announced that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi was expected to submit the PMF law to parliament “soon, following the completion of certain amendments,” as reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency.

“The [new] PMF law covering service, retirement, and organisational structure will be submitted within the next two weeks,” Mr Al Fayyadh stated, adding that “the process of [political] disengagement from the PMF, must proceed according to well-studied plans and a safe transition that guarantees the stability of the institution.”