Hashed al-Shaabi

Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is an umbrella group of predominantly Shia militias in Iraq, many of which are aligned with Iran. Formed in 2014 to combat ISIS, the PMF was later integrated into the Iraqi security forces. They are newsworthy due to escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with Iraq becoming a battleground for proxy conflicts. Recent US airstrikes have targeted PMF headquarters and members, including Kataeb Hezbollah, a key faction within the PMF, in Baghdad. These strikes, the first in Baghdad since late February, signal a dangerous escalation and highlight Iraq's precarious position, caught between its alliances with both the US and Iran. The PMF's presence and activities contribute to regional instability and complicate Iraq's efforts to maintain sovereignty.