Iraq's Shi'ite Paramilitary Groups Have Been Inducted Into The Country's Security Forces

Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) march during a military parade in Daquq, nearby Kirkuk, Iraq August 5, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed

US News and World Report/Reuters: Iraq's Shi'ite Militias Formally Inducted Into Security Forces

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday formalizing the inclusion of Shi'ite paramilitary groups in the country's security forces.

According to the decree, members of the Shi'ite militias, an assortment of militia groups known collectively as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which are mostly backed and trained by Iran, will be granted many of the same rights as members the military.

Paramilitary members will be given equivalent salaries to those members of the military under the Ministry of Defense's control, the decree said. They will also be subject to the laws of military service and will gain access to military institutes and colleges.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: These Shiite militias have a history of abusing the Sunni population. This decree may have some support among the Shiite population, but as for Iraq's other sectarian groups .... probably not.

More News On Iraq's Shi'ite Paramilitary Groups Being Inducted Into The Country's Security Forces

Iraqi PM: incorporation of mobilization forces preserves security service -- Iraqi News
Iraq's Shia militias formally integrated into state's security apparatus -- New Arab
Iran-linked militias, opposed by US, inducted into Iraqi security forces -- World Tribune
Iraqi PM Issues Decree Giving Iran-Backed Militias Same Privileges as Nation’s Army -- The Tower

After The Battle To Retake Mosul Has been Completed, Will Iraq’s Shiite Militias Head Into Syria?

Members of the Shi'ite Badr Organization fighters riding in a military vehicle during a battle with Islamic State militants west of Mosul, Iraq, on Nov. 20. PHOTO: KHALID AL-MOUSILY/REUTERS

Wall Street Journal: After Mosul, Will Iraq’s Shiite Militias Head to Syria Next?

Will the militias stop at the border--or cross the line and risk new sectarian strife?

Now that the collapse of Islamic State is within sight in Iraq, a lot rides on whether the Iraqi Shiite militias taking part in that campaign will stop at the international border or will cross into Syria in coming months and open a new phase of that country’s war.

The Hashed al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Forces, which unite several of Iraq’s powerful Shiite militias, were established to combat Islamic State in mid-2014. At the time, the regular Iraqi army collapsed as the extremist group seized the country’s second-largest city of Mosul and advanced all the way to the outskirts of Baghdad, the capital.

While technically under the control of the central government in Baghdad, most of these militias have been trained and armed by Iran and don’t hide their close links with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. On their tanks and armored vehicles, they often fly banners with portraits of the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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WNU Editor: Sending in tens of thousands of Shiite militia fighters into Syria will all but guarantee a sectarian war not only in Syria .... but an intensification of the Sunni - Shiite conflict throughout the Middle East. But .... I am willing to bet money that Iran does not care, and in their view it is in their national security interest to send in their militia army into Syria. This is probably the reason why Iran has not signed up on today's ceasefire announcement by Russian and Turkish leaders of a ceasefire in Syria (this is my next post). The Iranians do not want a ceasefire or negotiated settlement .... they want a military victory.

Iraq War Updates -- May 9, 2008

Al-Qaeda Has Used 6,000 Suicide Bombers in Iraq -- Gateway Pundit

2,000 Saudis Killed in Iraq -- Gateway Pundit

Bomber In Iraq Tied To Gitmo -- Washington Times

Michael Yon’s “Moment of Truth in Iraq” -- Austin Bay

Big Push Coming In Sadr City -- Hot Air

Iraq Applies More Pressure On Sadr To Disband Militia -- Strata-Sphere

The End Is Near For The Mahdi In Sadr City -- Strata-Sphere

Bad Guy Down -- Tigerhawk

Craving America's Defeat in Iraq -- Commentary From Backtalk

Al-Qaida leader In Iraq Captured During Mosul Raid -- Guardian

U.S. Military: Al Qaeda Leader in Iraq Has Not Been Captured -- FOX News

Al-Qaida In Iraq Leader 'Arrested' -- Guardian

ABU AYYUB AL-MASRI, Head Of Al Qaeda In Iraq, Has Been Captured -- Belmont Club

Baghdad's Coming Refugee Crisis -- Time Magazine

Beware Of Force On Militias, Iran Tells Iraq -- Yahoo News

Shiites Maintain Strong Nationalistic Ties To Iraq, Sys Amb. -- Voices Of Iraq

Motorcade Carrying Iraq's First Lady Bombed; Wife Unharmed -- Yahoo News

5 US Soldiers Killed, Shia Mosque Blown Up By Army -- Khaleej Times Online

19 Mahdi Army Fighters Killed During Baghdad Battles -- Long War Journal

U.S. Seeks Contractors To Train Iraqi Military -- Washington Post

Iraqis Begin To 'Despise' The Mahdi Army In Baghdad's Rusafa District -- Long War Journal

Baghdad Police Show Progress, But Challenges Remain -- Long War Journal

Kissinger on Iraq. April, 2008 -- Maggie's Farm

My Comment: U.S. and Iraqi forces are preparing to get rid of Shiite militias in Sadr City. Expect some heavy fighting in the next week or two.