Disagreements among PMU leaders stir up conflict between factions
Popular Mobilization Units factions are divided over how to deal with protests, as some take stances against the demonstrations while others offer protection to protesters.
The Sairoon Alliance, headed by Sadrist movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, demanded Dec. 9 that the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) be kept away from political conflicts. “The PMU needs to be isolated and remain independent from psychological disorders and partisan conflicts," Sairoon Alliance deputy Ali Ghawi said. He said that some PMU leaders should be replaced with more effective and patriotic ones and that "all forms of corruption need to be eliminated from within.”
A Dec. 6 incident where gunmen attacked protesters at a square near the Al-Sink Bridge near Tahrir Square in central Baghdad showed the extent of the differences within the PMU, which is divided into two groups. The first is known as the “State PMU” and follows the orders of PMU chief Faleh al-Fayadh and is more sympathetic to the protesters. The other, more dominant one, is more in line with the Iranian Revolution and is known as the “Factions PMU.” It is affiliated with PMU deputy chief Jamal Jaafar al-Ebrahimi, who goes by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and opposes the protests, which have taken on an anti-Iran tone.
Indeed, a Dec. 8 statement and later retraction about the Dec. 6 events on the PMU's official website seemed to contrast the two sides. The statement said clashes had erupted between the Hezbollah faction of the PMU and Sadr’s Blue Hats; Hezbollah said it was attempting to rescue some of its people, who had been seized by other groups. But only a few hours later, the PMU denied the statement, claiming its website had been hacked. However, the hacking story seemed to lack validity as all of the PMU’s social media accounts also published the same statement.
It is believed that the first statement was posted by people loyal to Muhandis. A PMU leader told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "There are ongoing conflicts between Fayadh and Muhandis, which are reflected within their affiliated factions every once in a while. Recent Iranian intervention has prevented clashes between the two. In June, Iran also interfered to prevent a major conflict.”
