Alwaght- Lawmakers in Baghdad approves a bill that legalizes the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, as an armed force.
The bill grants the forces with a legal status as part of the armed forces commanded by the Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi. The bill received a total of 208 supporting votes on Saturday and if finally approved it will make members of the PMF legible to receive salaries and pensions.
The forces are now part of the Iraqi war on terror and also participated in the comprehensive operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from ISIS domination.
The legislation, tabled by the National Iraqi Alliance, also stipulates that PMF reports directly to the prime minister who welcomed the law in a statement, saying Hashd al-Shaabi incorporates members of all Iraqi ethnic and religious groups.
“We must show gratitude for the sacrifices offered by those heroic fighters, young and elderly. It is the least we can offer them. The Popular Mobilization Forces will represent and defend all Iraqis wherever they are,” the statement read.
PMF has reportedly more than 100,000 fighters. Iraqi authorities say there are between 25,000 to 30,000 Sunni tribal fighters within the force’s ranks in addition to Kurdish Izadi and Christian units.
