Iraqi PM urges PMF to come under state control

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaydi, called on the Popular Mobilization Forces (MPF) to operate under the authority of the Iraqi state, following an announcement by the leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, that the armed wing of his movement would follow this course.

27 May, 2026 19:17

NEWS DESK

Al-Zaydi welcomed what he described as the “responsible national stance” of Muqtada al-Sadr after he announced hours earlier the separation of “Peace Brigades” from the movement and their integration into the Iraqi state.

He also urged other factions of the MPF to operate under state authority.

He considered that “this initiative represents an important step toward strengthening internal stability and consolidating the principle of restricting weapons to the state, and supporting security agencies in performing their national and constitutional duties.”

Since taking office in mid-May, al-Zaydi has pledged to limit weapons to the state in Iraq, at a time when the United States is increasingly pressuring Iraq to control the weapons of MPF, which it classifies as “terrorist” and aligned with Iran.

ANHA