Iraq Moves to Grant PMF Permanent Legal Status Amid US Withdrawal

Iraq's cabinet has approved a contentious bill on the Popular Mobilisation Forces and referred it to parliament for a final vote, coinciding with the conclusion of the U.S. military mission in the country. The legislation would grant the largely Shiite paramilitary umbrella the same legal standing and benefits as the regular armed forces, effectively making it a permanent security institution. Drafted originally under former prime minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in February 2025, the proposal was previously delayed by disputes over retirement provisions and U.S. objections.

American officials claim the law undermines Iraqi sovereignty and entrenches Iran-backed militias, a charge echoed by Iraqi critics who see it as a dangerous expansion of Iranian influence. The PMF, formed in 2014 to combat ISIS, includes factions accused of human-rights abuses, which the government has described as isolated incidents. The move comes as the United States ends a 23-year military presence, raising questions about Iraq's future security architecture.