Why Iraq’s law on Popular Mobilization Units isn't all that popular
A law outlining the future of the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq was passed months ago but has yet to be enacted as opposing forces continue their debates.
BAGHDAD — As elections draw closer, there's a tug of war in Baghdad over the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), a mostly Shiite coalition of militias.
Under a law passed in November but not implemented, the PMU was to become an official security body affiliated with the Iraqi armed forces. On one side of the issue, opponents are pulling hard to keep that from happening; the other side wants to expedite the process so PMU members can run for office and otherwise participate in politics.
In Iraq, political parties and entities wishing to run for election must abolish their armed wings. The new law would allow the armed factions under the PMU umbrella to be incorporated into one officially recognized body. As a result, the affiliated parties would become purely political entities without actually dissolving the armed groups.
Unless the law is enacted soon, it will become more difficult for these entities to participate in the September elections. In the meantime, leaders of the armed groups fear opponents will amend or abolish the law. Opposition groups include the Sunni Union of Nationalist Forces (SUNF), which has explicitly called for implementation of the law to be canceled. Also, Shiite Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, through his “initial solutions” initiative announced Feb. 20, urged that, rather than standing separately, the PMU should be dissolved, and then some "disciplined PMU" fighters could be incorporated into the Iraqi army and police.
