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Why Iraq's Sunnis fear new PMU law

A new law that will turn Shiite militias of the Popular Mobilization Units into an official security force has sparked fierce opposition from Sunni parliamentarians.
Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) march during a parade marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad, Iraq July 1, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTX2J7WT
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BAGHDAD — After the Iraqi parliament passed a law Nov. 26 establishing a new security force independent of the Iraqi army — consisting of the predominately Shiite militias of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) under the leadership of the General Commander of the armed forces — the Sunni bloc walked out of the legislature as a show of its opposition. The predominantly Shiite National Alliance supported the law.

According to the parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, the law turning the PMU into an official security institution would be structured similarly to the anti-terrorism apparatus. The PMU law stipulates limiting fighters to 50,000, of which 15,000 are to be Sunni. Current figures indicate that there are 150,000 fighters in the PMU's ranks. The 2017 budget, however, includes funding for 110,000 fighters, pointing to the possibility of only 40,000 fighters being demobilized.

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