Saturday, November 26, 2016

Iraq's parliament passes law legalising Shia militias (Popular Mobilisation Forces)

The Iraqi parliament has passed a bill recognising the Shia militia fighters, the Popular Mobilisation Forces, as a government entity operating alongside the military.


The bill passed on Saturday will see the establishment of the Popular Mobilisation Forces Commission, which critics said could only widen sectarian divisions in the war-torn country.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi welcomed the legislation, which was supported by 208 of the parliament's 327 members, saying the newly-formed force "will represent and defend all Iraqis wherever they are."

The law places the militias under Abadi's command, while giving the militiamen salaries and pensions that mirror those of the military and the police.


  • The force, numbering more than 100,000, is currently involved in the battle to retake the city of Mosul, fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) in the western flank of the city at Tal Afar. 


The forces have been key in retaking Tal Afar, which lies on a supply line from Mosul to ISIL-held territories in Syria.

They have also been reportedly involved in trying to cut off the main road connecting Mosul and Tal Afar, denying ISIL fighters access to more supply.
 [aljazeera.com]
26/11/16
-
Related:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Only News

Featured Post

US Democratic congresswoman : There is no difference between 'moderate' rebels and al-Qaeda or the ISIS

United States Congresswoman and Democratic Party member Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday revealed that she held a meeting with Syrian Presiden...

Blog Widget by LinkWithin