Shiite military factions have long way to integrate into state forces
Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's decree about the Popular Mobilization Units, they have a long way to go to integrate into state forces.
While Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's deadline for the integration of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) into Iraq's official security forces passed July 31, there is a long road ahead for this task.
Abdul Mahdi issued a decree last month giving the PMU until July 31 to integrate fully into Iraqi security forces or hand their weapons to the state.
However, after his visit to Tehran, Iran, in late July, Abdul Mahdi changed his tune. He said the integration of the PMU into the state "will take a long time. It won’t be easy either.”
In contradiction with his previous statements, he said the PMU would not be integrated into the Iraqi army and local police but rather would act as a separate force under government control. He also said he does not intend to dissolve or weaken the PMU.
