Iraqi PMU plan military parade as show of force
Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are organizing a military parade on the seventh anniversary of their establishment as a show of strength, but it may also reveal their divisions.
The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) are gearing up for a huge military parade June 26 to mark the seventh anniversary of the state-affiliated military organization's founding.
The parade will be taking place following the arrest and release of PMU official Qassim Musleh.
Observers said the parade may be an attempt to cover up divisions within various militias in the PMU such as the pro-Iran factions and the Hashd al-Marjaiya grouping close to Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In addition, there is a divide within the pro-Iran factions.
PMU sources told Al-Monitor that 20,000 fighters will take part in the parade, where new drones, missiles and armored vehicles will be displayed.
