Rebaz Awla Mustafa- Activist
The armed militia forces in Iraq, under the names of Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) Mahdi Army and Border Guards are incapable of protecting the borders of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
In the past, it has become clear to us that these are weak, defeated, and unorganized forces. Legally, they have no legitimate basis.
Meanwhile, many other forces in Kurdistan and Iraq have emerged under the names of political figures, leaders, tribal chiefs, and families, supported by both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. There are numerous other armed groups that exploit these forces to protect their illegal trade and activities.
Additionally, an imaginary budget is allocated annually to these Iraqi militias. According to the 2025 budget plan, the salary allocation for Hashd al-Shaabi forces is 3 trillion and 500 billion dinars per year, and their budget continues to increase solely for the purpose of terrorizing the people, as these forces were created for oppression.
Moreover, these forces have not refrained from committing crimes against their own citizens. They have caused major tragedies, which is truly heartbreaking. How can a national force brutally oppress its own people? Hashd al-Shaabi and its groups have done exactly that, particularly against Kurdish citizens living in disputed areas.
They treat them with extreme cruelty, seize their property, expel them from their own lands, and replace them with Arabs—just like during the Ba’ath regime. The same thing is happening now, especially in cities like Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu, and Khanaqin. The actions of these militias are unacceptable. These brutal forces continue their illegal activities.
They must be stopped as soon as possible, and these forces must be disbanded because they have become a major threat to the land and nation. On the other hand, in the past, we all witnessed how the Iraqi militia forces in Mosul failed to resist ISIS for even a single hour. Similarly, these militias in Makhmour, Kirkuk, and other disputed areas were unable to defend the soil of Kurdistan. At that time, a large portion of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region fell under ISIS control. Therefore, people have lost all trust in these forces and militias, and the public is fed up with them, demanding their dissolution.
I also want to point out that Hashd al-Shaabi groups have repeatedly issued threats, warning that if the U.S. and allied forces do not leave Iraq, they will target them in the harshest way. This is clearly Iran’s scheme to protect its economic and military interests and ensure Shiite dominance over the Iraqi government.
Strongly demanding that the leaders of Hashd al-Shaabi must be put on trial because they have committed major crimes against Kurds and Sunni Arabs in Mosul. There is substantial evidence documenting their atrocities.
Translated into english- Mzhda Mohammes
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