Popular Mobilization Forces
Also known as PMU, Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, PMF, People's Mobilization Committee, PMC, Popular Mobilization Units
The Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), is an Iranian-backed paramilitary umbrella group that operates within Iraq. Although formally and legally part of the Iraqi Armed Forces and reporting directly to the prime minister, PMF leaders act independently from state control, and in practice, answer to the supreme leader of Iran.
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Key facts
- Founder
- Ali Sistani
- Supreme leader
- Mojtaba Khamenei
- Chairman
- Falih Al-Fayyadh
- Chief of staff
- Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi
- Notable commanders
- Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis X
- Dates of operation
- 15 June 2014 – present
- Country
- Iraq
- Allegiance
- Iraq ( de jure ), Iran ( de facto , IRGC )
- Headquarters
- Baghdad , Iraq
- Ideology
- Shia Islamism , Khomeinism , Wilayat al-Faqih , Iranian interests , Anti-Sunnism , Anti-West , Anti-LGBT
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Article
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF; Arabic: قوات الحشد الشعبي, romanized: Quwwāt al-Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī), also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), is an Iranian-backed paramilitary umbrella group that operates within Iraq. Although formally and legally part of the Iraqi Armed Forces and reporting directly to the prime minister, PMF leaders act independently from state control, and in practice, answer to the supreme leader of Iran.
The PMF is composed of about 67 primarily Shia armed factions, almost all of which are Iranian-backed and openly pledge allegiance to the supreme leader of Iran. In 2024, the PMF's Chief of Staff, Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi, openly declared that the PMF took orders from Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei's father and predecessor Ali Khamenei. PMF chairman Falih al-Fayyadh cooperates with the Iranian IRGC to implement Iranian instructions in Iraq and reinforce Iranian influence over the militias.