Pro-Iranian factions in Iraq have been without leadership to steer their actions since Jan. 3, 2020. On that day, a US drone strike killed the commander of the Iranian Quds Force Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).
Muhandis had these factions under control and was considered the final decision-maker and the balance-maker in their relations with the Iraqi government. In light of his absence, especially in recent months, signs of internal disputes have surfaced among the factions.
