Skip to main content

Militias make use of Iraqi universities to spread their influence

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units finds that universities provide a perfect recruitment platform.
PMUBaghdadUni.jpg

BAGHDAD — The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) is calling on Iraqi university students, specifically those in medicine and engineering, to sign up for logistics tasks in Iraq and Syria. But some academics believe there is a larger agenda at hand.

The PMU, a state-sponsored umbrella group for dozens of militias, organizes regular public programs at Iraqi universities to raise money. For example, the University of Baghdad on Oct. 29 held a festival to support the PMU with the slogan “Our Units Win.” Several leaders and security officials of various PMU factions attended, and some made ardent statements that excited the students.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.