BAGHDAD — Soon after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the liberation of Tikrit from the Islamic State (IS) March 31, stories began circulating about alleged acts of arson and looting of houses and stores by members of the predominantly Shiite volunteer militias of the Popular Mobilization Units. The nature of war against a fierce enemy facilitates gossip and rumors, so the stories are often conflicting, leaving Iraqis divided over the matter.
Some charge that the events are false allegations being used to destroy the image of the Shiite militias, which along with Iraqi army forces fought street battles in liberating Tikrit. Adnan al-Asadi, a parliamentarian from the State of Law Coalition, believes this to be the case, claiming in a press release April 5 that “accomplices in terrorism are spreading such stories.”