Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)

The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) are an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization composed of various armed groups, some of which have close ties to Iran. They were initially formed in 2014 to combat ISIS. The PMF is newsworthy due to recent attacks on US interests in Iraq, including the US embassy in Baghdad and a hotel in the Green Zone, amid escalating regional tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. While no group has claimed responsibility, Iran-aligned paramilitary forces, some within the PMF, are suspected. These attacks have prompted the Iraqi Prime Minister to condemn the violence and order investigations, emphasizing Iraq's desire to avoid being drawn into a wider conflict. The PMF's actions and allegiances are significant as they impact Iraq's stability and its relationship with both the US and Iran.