What is Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and How Did It Form?
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, were established in Iraq in 2014. Their formation occurred against a backdrop of severe security collapse. This crisis emerged after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also referred to as ISIS or Daesh, seized control of the city of Mosul and vast swathes of the country. The group's establishment was a direct response to the existential threat posed by ISIL's rapid territorial gains and the Iraqi state's inability to contain them.
The formation of the Popular Mobilization Forces in 2014 highlights a critical juncture in Iraq's security landscape, driven by the state's perceived inability to counter the ISIS threat. This event underscores the complex interplay between national security challenges, the rise of non-state armed actors, and the subsequent geopolitical realignments. Understanding the PMF's origins is crucial for analyzing contemporary Iraqi governance and regional stability, as such paramilitary formations often introduce enduring governance complexities and influence state-society relations for years to come.
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