Story perspectives

PMF Denies Office Searches Amid Rising Tensions in Iraq

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) denied claims that Iraqi security forces searched its offices in Baghdad.
The PMF urged verification of information before sharing.
Unconfirmed reports suggested Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered inspections after projectile attacks on a base.
Overnight strikes in Kirkuk and Al Qaim killed nine PMF fighters, with al-Sudani condemning the attacks as violations of Iraqi sovereignty and pledging to protect diplomatic missions.

History

Historical Context

The Iraqi Civil War, which escalated in 2014, saw the emergence of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) as a key military group, bolstered by Iranian support and comprising over 100,000 fighters. This conflict echoes historical tensions, including the Kurdish Civil War of the 1990s, as the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani grapples with militia influence and state authority amid ongoing violence in regions like Kirkuk.

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Story summary

The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) denied claims that Iraqi security forces searched its offices in Baghdad.
The PMF urged verification of information before sharing.
Unconfirmed reports suggested Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered inspections after projectile attacks on a base.
Overnight strikes in Kirkuk and Al Qaim killed nine PMF fighters, with al-Sudani condemning the attacks as violations of Iraqi sovereignty and pledging to protect diplomatic missions.

1 / 2