In a remarkable shift of events, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense added on July 20 a number of Al-Abbas Combat Division troops to its ranks following Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s approval, thus making the brigade the first Shiite faction in the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) to partially join the Iraqi regular forces.

This step underscores the divergence in views and trends among the PMU Shiite factions, which have different viewpoints on the future of the PMU and its relationship with the Iraqi state. While some of them entrench their Iraqi orientation, others are keen to deepen their relations with Iran and be part of its regional plans.

Al-Abbas Combat Division was founded by Al-Abbas holy shrine under the patronage of Ahmad al-Safi, the secretary-general of the shrine and the spokesman for the supreme religious authority Ali al-Sistani. Other armed factions are affiliated with the Shiite holy shrines — such as Ansar al-Marjaiya Brigade, Ali Akbar Brigade and Imam Ali Combat Division — but Al-Abbas Combat Division has special military capabilities, as it consists of “four infantry brigades, an armored brigade, artillery battalions and a highly equipped special force trained by the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service as well as an engineering and incursion squad,” according to the Tactical Cell, an Iraqi cell of experts that focuses on military and security issues in Iraq.

Al-Abbas Combat Division's media wing confirmed the news to Al-Monitor, providing a statement saying, “We have registered 1,000 fighters from the brigade at the Ministry of Defense after obtaining the approval of the commander in chief of the armed forces and the minister of defense.”