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Anbar officials reject Shiite popular mobilization forces

Officials in Iraq's Anbar province are concerned about the increase in revenge operations carried out by popular mobilization forces.

An armed Shi'ite volunteer from the Mehdi Army, loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants outside the city of Tikrit September 8, 2014. Picture taken September 8, 2014.REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR45WNV
An armed Shiite volunteer from the Mahdi Army, loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, clashes with Islamic State militants outside the city of Tikrit, Sept. 8, 2014. — REUTERS

Officials in Iraq's Anbar province are concerned about the members of popular mobilization forces carrying out sectarian revenge operations against the residents of the province, 80% of which falls under the control of the Islamic State (IS).

The popular mobilization forces formed following the fall of Mosul on June 10, 2014, after supreme Shiite religious authority Ali al-Sistani announced the “righteous jihad” fatwa. The forces brought together a number of Shiite militias, some of which receive direct support from Iran.

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