Shiite militias open offices in Iraq's liberated Sunni areas

The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their domination in Sunni-majority areas liberated from the Islamic State, raising concerns among the local population.
Shi'ite fighters ride on the back of a truck with their weapons in al-Fatha, northeast of Baiji, October 18, 2015. Iraqi forces backed by Shi'ite militia fighters say they have retaken a mountain palace complex of former President Saddam Hussein from Islamic State fighters, as government forces push ahead on a major offensive against the insurgents. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTS4Z28
Shiite fighters ride on the back of a truck with their weapons in al-Fatha, Iraq, Oct. 18, 2015. - REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudan
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Mustafa Saadoun
@SaadoonMustafa
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BAGHDAD — After the liberation of Sunni areas from the clutches of the Islamic State (IS), Shiite parties and their affiliated armed factions have established offices in those areas, despite not having a popular base there.

The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) opened a bureau in the city of Fallujah on Jan. 16. Sunni journalists have expressed concern about this development, commenting that the PMU is trying to “a get a foothold in the liberated Sunni areas.”

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